Marvels of the Heart - Tarjuma

Session 5: How the Heart Relates to Knowledge

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In our fifth session of our weekly class on Imam Abū Ḥāmid Muḥammad al-Ghazālī’s Exploring the Marvels of the Heart, we explore “How the Heart Relates to Knowledge”.

Centering around answering the questions “What stops the heart from gaining knowledge?”, this session covers pages 35-44 of the text.


“What stops the heart from gaining knowledge?”

The heart is a mirror. When it observes the “image” of knowledge it can imbibe and reflect it. The heart then takes the form of what is put in front of it. It is the influences - what we put in front of the heart - that make it capable of receiving knowledge.


We discuss Imam Ghazālī's exposition of 5 types of mirrors (heart) that are limited in attaining knowledge:

  • The mirror that has not being formed or fashioned properly: It cannot yet reflect the world around it, like the heart that is not ready to take on knowledge - like a child 
  • The stained or dirty mirror: That heart is burdened by the darknesses of sin, failing to fulfill the right of God upon us
  • The mirror facing the wrong direction: Analogous to the heart that is not turned towards the right "image" 
  • The mirror that is veiled: Analogous to the heart that is preoccupied with the world
  • The mirror that does not provide adequate perspective for what you are desiring to seek: Speaks to the capacity of the heart for putting knowledge in the right place

    • Take away: How do our hearts mirror the world around us? How is your heart mirroring the heart of your brothers and sisters?

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