Presential & Attained Knowledge

8/10/2019 Presential & Attained Knowledge

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Presentia

Attained Knowled


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Most fundamental distinction pertaining to modes of knowing The division of knowledge into the presential and the attained is ba

the distinction between immediate and indirect knowledge concernintelligible or spiritual world.

Division into presential and attained knowledge is more fundamentuniversal than the religious-intellectual division

Presential knowledge : direct, immediate, supra-rational, intuitive andcontemplative

Attained/acquired knowledge : indirect, rational, logical & discursive.

Introduction


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Presential Knowledge

Al-Ghazali refers to this knowledge under several names. Among them a(knowledge from on high) and ilm al-mukasyafah (knowledge of unveilinmysteries)

Presential knowledge is superior to attained knowledge because it is free of erroit confers the highest certitude concerning spiritual truths.

Presential knowledge : comprises both prophetic knowledge, which is derived(wahy) and the knowledge of the saints, which is derived from inspiration (ilhcalled knowledge from on high (al-ilm al-ladunni)


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Al-Ilm al-Ladunni

Knowledge obtained directly from Allah. It can be experienced both by Prophetsprophets

In this kind of revelation to a Prophet, an angel does not appear to the eyes. He dout words, remains concealed, but inspires the recipient with whatever Allah wisacross of knowledge

In case of non-prophets, ilm al-ladunni can take the form of inspiration. HoweveShara`i or legal value. At best, it is for the benefit of the individual, and for him toworth


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Modes of Revelations

The infusion of an idea into the mind, which is called wahyin this verse

The Holy Prophet has described this mode in the words: The Holy Spiri

into my heart.

From behind a veil this includes dreams, visions, hearing words o

By sending a messenger this refers to the sending of angel Gabrieland whose word is heard by the man receiving the revelation


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Revelation to Prophets

1. The angel would come to him with a voice like the clanging of a bseverest way revelation would come to the Messenger. Such demands the full attention of the one being addressed with revelation came in this manner, it was extremely demanding uMessengersfaculties.

2. The angel would come to him in the form of a man. This was eprevious way, since the form of the angelic Messenger was familiarMessenger and easier to relate to

Both of these ways are mentioned by the Prophet in his answer toHishaam when he asked how the revelation came to him


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Revelation to non-prophets

Revelation in spoken words : To Mariam, the mother of Isa, came the revelation: Shake tthe branch of the palm-tree. Fresh, ripe dates will fall on you. Eat and drink and cool the e

Shake, eat, drink and cool are commands.

A slave-girl of Abu Bakr was pregnant. He said: It was revealed to me that it would be a gbirth to a girl.

True Dreams - These are the elementary stage of wah. It is the exposition or the manifesttruth in a dream. A most definitive statement about the dreams has been given by the HoMohammad. He said dreams are of three kinds: A self-suggestion; Satanic instigation; glaAllah

Visions (Kashaf) - This is a form of revelation higher in grade than the True Dream. Literalto open or to unveil. It is an experience in which a person in his state of consciousness andenters a spiritual world where he is informed about some truths by the All-Mighty


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Attained Knowledge

It is our duty, as believers, to consistently seek knowledge in life. Without knowledge, we cannot overcome our fears and wour intellect and spirituality. Being ignorant would be like be

maze where we must guess our way out. It is thus importanattaining knowledge; the only cure for one's ignorance afoundation to reach for God


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Ways to Attain/Acquire Knowledge1. READ

If you must read in order to acquire knowledge, read critically. Believe nounderstood, till its clearly proven.

2. WRITE

The men of the best memories are those who make notes, who write thinjust dont write to remember,they write to learn.

3. LISTEN

Pay attention to the person speaking. Contemplate the meaning of his wonature of his thoughts. Grasp and retain the truth. Of all the ways to acquthis way requires least effort on your part.

4. PRACTICE

Consider the knowledge you already have the things you really know They are the things you have done over and over; practiced them so oftebecame second nature


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5. ASK

We grow up to be men and women, still eager for knowledge, but afraid and asorder to get it. When you ask, you have to be humble. You have to admit you do

6. DESIRE

Desire is the foundation of all learning and you can only climb up the ladder of kdesiring to learn

7. GET IT FROM YOURSELF

Most of your knowledge, however and this is the great difference between neducation is not in shape to be used, you havent it on the tip of your tongue.away down inside of you and because you cant see it, you think it isnt there

Presential & Attained Knowledge

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