Ilm is rather a comprehensive term, for the Prophet has…
““Ilm is rather a comprehensive term, for the Prophet has said: “Knowledge consists of three things, a clear verse (of the Qur- ân), a well-established sunnah, and a fair religious duty ( farîdah).” Also, Jesus has said: “There are three (kinds of ) knowers (- âlim), a knower of God, a knower of the command of God, and a knower of the command of God who is at the same time a knower of God.” Consequently, there are three kinds of knowledge, namely, the knowledge of what is lawful and what is unlawful, which is the legal knowledge of the rules governing this world and which is exoteric material knowledge; the knowledge of the rules governing the other world, which is esoteric intuitive knowledge; and the knowledge of the divine rules as they affect God’s creation in both this world and the other world.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage outlines three categories of knowledge: legal/exoteric, esoteric/intuitive, and divine, each linked to religious texts and teachings.
In simple terms: Three types of knowledge: worldly law, spiritual insight, and divine purpose.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and balance different knowledge realms.
Themes
religion
knowledge
ethics
Mood
contemplative
inquisitive
Type
didactic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- scholarly study
- interfaith dialogue
- personal spiritual practice
- ethical decision making
Key Concepts
theology
epistemology
law
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you prioritize worldly versus spiritual knowledge?
- Can one type dominate without harming the others?
A Different Perspective
Balancing these types can be complex and may conflict in practice.