CLASSIFICATION OF KNOWLEDGE

according to

Al-Ghazali

CLASSIFICATION OF KNOWLEDGE

Intellectual

Religious

• Also called as rational science.
• Source : intellect.
• The use of the intellect, experimentation or hearing.
• Human experience and interaction with the universe that surrounds us.
• Investigating and contemplating the patterns and laws that exist in nature.

VS

Religious

• What has been acquired from the prophets.
• Obtained by studying the Quran and the Sunnah of His Prophet and understanding their meaning after hearing [them].

Intellectual

Al Quran

Al Quran

• Complementary sources.
• The last and complete book.
• Every word is preserved.

Al Sunnah

And we sent down to you the book explaining all things, guidance, a mercy;نَand good news for the Muslims.

(Al Nahl; 16:89)زَّلۡنَا عَلَيۡكَ الۡـكِتٰبَ تِبۡيَانًا لِّـكُلِّ شَىۡءٍ وَّ لَيۡكَ

Al Sunnah

Roots

• In general is a practical explanation of Al-Quran.
• Traditions and practices of Prophet SAW.
• The Prophet was observed by his family and companions.

And we have sent down upon you the message (Al-Quran) that you may explain clearly to human kind about what is sent to them. (Al Nahl; 16:44)زَّلۡنَا عَلَيۡكَ الۡـكِتٰبَ تِبۡيَانًا لِّـكُلِّ شَىۡءٍ وَّ لَيۡكَ

'Ulum Aqliyyah

He who obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah.(An Nisa; 4:80)زَّلۡنَا عَلَيۡكَ الۡـكِتٰبَ تِبۡيَانًا لِّـكُلِّ شَىۡءٍ وَّ لَيۡكَ

'Ulum Shar'iyyah

ROOTS

Athar al-sahabah

(Traditions of Companions)

Consensus

Al-Wahy al-Matlu

(Al Quran)

Intellectual

Consensus

Ijma'

(Consensus)

Religious

Al-Wahy al-Ghayr Matlu

(Al Sunnah)

• ijma' - consensus of Islamic law by the mujtahidin among the Muslims after the death of Prophet SAW, at any time.
• In cases when something needs a legal ruling, but has not been clearly addressed in Quran or Sunnah.
• Muhammad once states that "My ummah will never agree upon an error". (proof for validity of ijma')

• Example :

- Companion's consensus (ijma' as-Sahabah) on 20 rakaat of Taraweeh.

- Scholar's consensus about prayer of Tahiyyatul Masjid is a sunnah.

- Scholar's consensus that whoever leaves a prayer intentionally must make it up.

• Roots

(usul)

• Praiseworthy

(mahmudah)

• Branches

(furu')

• Blameworthy

(mazmumah)

Branches

Praiseworthy

• Ancillary science

(muqaddimat)

• Permissible

(mubah)

Branches

• Complementary science

Praiseworthy

• Two kinds :

1st pertains to the benefits of this world.

- It is contained in the books of jurisprudence (fiqh)

and is the responsibility of the lawyers (al-fuqaha').

2nd pertains to the benefits of the next world.

- States of the heart, praiseworthy and blameworthy

morals, what is pleasing and what is hateful to God.

• When they are formally carried out, they bring benefits to society (dunyawiyyah). However, when the heart infuses these branches (furu'), they bring the individual benefits in terms of the hereafter (ukhrawiyyah).

(mutammimat)

• Those on whose knowledge the activities of this life depend.
• Applies the concepts of fard kifayah which comprises every science which is indispensable for the welfare of this world.
• Example :

- Medicine , necessary for the life of the body.

- Arithmetic, necessary for daily transactions, tailoring.

Ancillary

sciences

Blameworthy

Permissible

Blameworthy

ANCILLARY SCIENCES

• Which has no use either in the realm of religion or in the domain of life because of its harmfulness exceeds its utility.
• Examples : magic, talismatic, juggling, trickery.

• Instrument for revealed knowledge.
• Example : Linguistic science and syntax.

• Quran - literal and unaltered word revealed from Allah.
• Hadith - different patterns of speech and choice of words compared to the Quran.

How to approach Quran ?

• Deep understanding of Arabic language and its various ancillary sciences.

Permissible

Ancillary

sciences

Literature

Lexicography

Poetry

Grammar

• "That whose knowledge is praiseworthy within a certain limit, that of sufficiency, but beyond that it ceases to be praiseworthy."
• Examples : poetry, history, music, astronomy.

Complementary

sciences

COMPLEMENTARY

SCIENCES

• Quranic sciences > science of interpretation, different readings and the enunciation of the different letters.
• Tradition and history > science of authoritative transmission and biography of the illustrious men and Companions.

By :

Syakiratul Azimah Bt Azmi 1225782