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SpiritualRoadmapbyGhazali, page : 85
al-Muhasibi, the various anecdotes about al-Junayd, ash-Shibli and Abu Yazid al-
Bistami (may Allah sanctify their spirits), and other discourses of their leading
men. I thus comprehended their fundamental teachings on the intellectual side,
and progressed, as far as is possible through study and oral instruction, in the
knowledge of mysticism. It became clear to me, however, that what is most
distinctive of mysticism is something which cannot be apprehended by study, but
only by immediate experience (Thawq-literally `tasting‟), by ecstasy and by a
moral change. What a difference there is between knowing the definition of
health and satiety, together with their causes and presuppositions, and being
healthy and satisfied! What a difference between being acquainted with the
definition of drunkenness-namely, that it designates a state arising from the
domination of the seat of the intellect by vapors arising from the stomach -and
being drunk! Indeed, the drunken man while in that condition does not know the
definition of drunkenness nor the scientific account of it; he has not the very least
scientific knowledge of it. The sober man, on the other hand, knows the definition
of drunkenness and its basis, yet he is not drunk in the very least. Again the
doctor, when he is himself ill, knows the definition and causes of health and the
remedies which restore it, and yet is lacking in health. Similarly there is a
difference between knowing the true nature and causes and conditions of the
Bistami (may Allah sanctify their spirits), and other discourses of their leading
men. I thus comprehended their fundamental teachings on the intellectual side,
and progressed, as far as is possible through study and oral instruction, in the
knowledge of mysticism. It became clear to me, however, that what is most
distinctive of mysticism is something which cannot be apprehended by study, but
only by immediate experience (Thawq-literally `tasting‟), by ecstasy and by a
moral change. What a difference there is between knowing the definition of
health and satiety, together with their causes and presuppositions, and being
healthy and satisfied! What a difference between being acquainted with the
definition of drunkenness-namely, that it designates a state arising from the
domination of the seat of the intellect by vapors arising from the stomach -and
being drunk! Indeed, the drunken man while in that condition does not know the
definition of drunkenness nor the scientific account of it; he has not the very least
scientific knowledge of it. The sober man, on the other hand, knows the definition
of drunkenness and its basis, yet he is not drunk in the very least. Again the
doctor, when he is himself ill, knows the definition and causes of health and the
remedies which restore it, and yet is lacking in health. Similarly there is a
difference between knowing the true nature and causes and conditions of the