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ArticlesOfTheIslamicFaithByGhazali, page : 91
and cause no harm when mentioned clearly, although it
is usually expressed through metaphor or allegory so that its
impression on the heart of the listener may be deeper. Its
value is that it leaves a greater impression on the heart.
Thus if a person had said that he had seen a man place pearls
around the necks of swine and his words were taken metaphorically
to express the imparting of knowledge, and the spread
of learning among those who are unworthy, the (ordinary)
listener would readily understand its literal meaning while
the thorough and careful listener, when he examines and finds
that the man had no pearls and was not surrounded by swine,
would see through and comprehend the inner and invisible meaning.
Consequently men differ in this respect. An example
is usually expressed through metaphor or allegory so that its
impression on the heart of the listener may be deeper. Its
value is that it leaves a greater impression on the heart.
Thus if a person had said that he had seen a man place pearls
around the necks of swine and his words were taken metaphorically
to express the imparting of knowledge, and the spread
of learning among those who are unworthy, the (ordinary)
listener would readily understand its literal meaning while
the thorough and careful listener, when he examines and finds
that the man had no pearls and was not surrounded by swine,
would see through and comprehend the inner and invisible meaning.
Consequently men differ in this respect. An example