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ArticlesOfTheIslamicFaithByGhazali, page : 99
in the dark or from a distance and acquires a certain picture
of that person. But when he sees him from a close range
or after the darkness has gone, he realizes certain differences.
This last picture, however, is not opposed to the first
but complementary to it.
The same is true of knowledge, faith, and belief. For a person
may believe in the existence of love, sickness, and death
even before any of them occur. But to believe in their existence
after they have taken place is more complete than believing
in their existence before they take place. In fact mankind
has, with regard to passion and love as well as the other
conditions, three different stages and three distinct degrees
of comprehension.
of that person. But when he sees him from a close range
or after the darkness has gone, he realizes certain differences.
This last picture, however, is not opposed to the first
but complementary to it.
The same is true of knowledge, faith, and belief. For a person
may believe in the existence of love, sickness, and death
even before any of them occur. But to believe in their existence
after they have taken place is more complete than believing
in their existence before they take place. In fact mankind
has, with regard to passion and love as well as the other
conditions, three different stages and three distinct degrees
of comprehension.