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The_Foundations_of_the_Islamic_Belief, page : 80
To recognize the existence of hunger after it is gone is different from recognizing its existence
before it
is gone. Similarly, there are some of the sciences of Religion which mature by experience and their
mature state as compared with their premature state is like the invisible as compared to the
visible.
Hence there is a difference between the sick man's knowledge of health and the healthy man's
knowledge of it. In short, people differ in these four parts; yet in none of them is there an
invisible
meaning which contradicts the visible. Rather the invisible meaning completes and perfects the
visible
just as the pith completes the husk.
The fifth category is where concrete words are used figuratively. Those with lessor intellect will
regard
the literal and visible meaning sensible and will not go beyond it; but the man who has an insight
for
realities will comprehend the secret it contains. This is like the words of him who said, "The wall
before it
is gone. Similarly, there are some of the sciences of Religion which mature by experience and their
mature state as compared with their premature state is like the invisible as compared to the
visible.
Hence there is a difference between the sick man's knowledge of health and the healthy man's
knowledge of it. In short, people differ in these four parts; yet in none of them is there an
invisible
meaning which contradicts the visible. Rather the invisible meaning completes and perfects the
visible
just as the pith completes the husk.
The fifth category is where concrete words are used figuratively. Those with lessor intellect will
regard
the literal and visible meaning sensible and will not go beyond it; but the man who has an insight
for
realities will comprehend the secret it contains. This is like the words of him who said, "The wall