--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Knowledge,” which for al-Qônawî is never…" description: "\"“Knowledge,” which for al-Qônawî is never very far from Sufi gnosis, is “an abstract universal reality,” or “a single universal reality.” In contrast t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c87/franz-rosenthal-10507_knowledge_knowledge-which-for-al-q-naw-is-never-ve_439020.jpg" --- # Knowledge,” which for al-Qônawî is never very far from… ![“Knowledge,” which for al-Qônawî is never very far from Sufi gnosis, is “an abstract universal reality,” or “a single universal reality.” In contrast to rational knowledge, no perception-and-apperception (tasawwur/tasdîq) is involved in the visionary knowledge of the mystic, as believed by the…” quote by Franz Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c87/franz-rosenthal-10507_knowledge_knowledge-which-for-al-q-naw-is-never-ve_439020.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c87/franz-rosenthal-10507_knowledge_knowledge-which-for-al-q-naw-is-never-ve_439020.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c87/franz-rosenthal-10507_knowledge_knowledge-which-for-al-q-naw-is-never-ve_439020.jpg) > ““Knowledge,” which for al-Qônawî is never very far from Sufi gnosis, is “an abstract universal reality,” or “a single universal reality.” In contrast to rational knowledge, no perception-and-apperception (tasawwur/tasdîq) is involved in the visionary knowledge of the mystic, as believed by the great mass, but only perception. The Qur- ân is “the form of the knowl- edge that comprises the variety of possible conditions affecting existing things,” or it is the form of the divine attribute of knowledge.85 Another aspect of Muslim theology was thus invaded by logic in a rather intui- tive, unsystematic manner which, however, further shows the desire to divert the powerful current of thought centering around “knowledge” into special channels.”” [Franz Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-rosenthal/) ## 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 contrasts mystical, intuitive knowledge with rational, analytical knowledge, noting that divine knowledge is perceived directly without logical mediation. **In simple terms:** Mystical knowledge is direct perception of divine truth, unlike rational analysis. Key Takeaway Seek direct insight beyond mere reasoning. Themes mysticism knowledge theology Mood contemplative inquisitive Type philosophical theological When to use this quote - spiritual practice - theological study - interfaith dialogue Key Concepts intuition divine perception philosophy of mind Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance intuition with reason? - What role does direct perception play in faith? A Different Perspective Rational analysis may miss the depth of experiential truth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Sufi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sufi/) ## Related quotes > [“Sufism made use of the material provided by religious scholars that described knowledge as light. Going far beyond it, Sufi thinking was pervaded by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-rosenthal/sufism-made-use-of-the-material-provided-by-religious-scholars-that/) [Franz Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-rosenthal/) > [“At the peak of human gnosis, man’s knowledge of God may appear associated with the love of God. An early Sufi is said to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-rosenthal/at-the-peak-of-human-gnosis-man-s-knowledge-of-god-may-appear/) [Franz Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-rosenthal/) > [A Sufi manual, the Kashf-al-Mahjub, says that, towards the end of his journey, the dervish becomes the Way not the wayfarer, i.e. a place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-chatwin/a-sufi-manual-the-kashf-al-mahjub-says-that-towards-the-end-of-his/) [Bruce Chatwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-chatwin/) > [We view Sufism not as an ideology that molds people to the right way of belief or action, but as an art or science…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/we-view-sufism-not-as-an-ideology-that-molds-people-to-the-right-way/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [Our virtues are made by love, and our sins are caused by the lack of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hazrat-inayat-khan/our-virtues-are-made-by-love-and-our-sins-are-caused-by-the-lack-of-it/) [Hazrat Inayat Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hazrat-inayat-khan/) > [“THE DANCE OF ANGELS Suzy Kassem He spins and spins and spins To remove all three layers of him And with devout discipline He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/the-dance-of-angels-suzy-kassem-he-spins-and-spins-and-spins-to/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [“You have no choice. You must leave your ego on the doorstep before you enter love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/you-have-no-choice-you-must-leave-your-ego-on-the-doorstep-before-you/) [Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/) > [It is the message, not the man, which is important to the Sufis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/it-is-the-message-not-the-man-which-is-important-to-the-sufis/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [The perfect mystic is not an ecstatic devotee lost in contemplation of Oneness, nor a saintly recluse shunning all commerce with mankind, but "the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abu-sa-id-abul-khayr/the-perfect-mystic-is-not-an-ecstatic-devotee-lost-in-contemplation/) Abu-Sa'id Abul-Khayr > [“You know how it goes: at some point in your life, you fell in love with someone and had a glimpse of God. Then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/you-know-how-it-goes-at-some-point-in-your-life-you-fell-in-love-with/) [Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/) > [“Sufis are those who have expunged from their minds the human tendencies of envy and enmity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/sufis-are-those-who-have-expunged-from-their-minds-the-human/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [“Don't place me in the lineage of your tribal white giants, they were cute little smart kids, but that's all, my peers of heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/don-t-place-me-in-the-lineage-of-your-tribal-white-giants-they-were/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [A Sufi mystic who had always remained happy was asked… For seventy years people had watched him, he had never been found sad. One…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/a-sufi-mystic-who-had-always-remained-happy-was-asked-for-seventy/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [“No existe práctica en aislamiento.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/no-existe-pr-ctica-en-aislamiento/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [“To be a Sufi is to detach from fixed ideas and from preconceptions; and not to try to avoid what is your lot.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/to-be-a-sufi-is-to-detach-from-fixed-ideas-and-from-preconceptions/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) ## More by Franz Rosenthal > [“Ash-Shâfi i paid no attention to a slave girl given to him by friends who wants to sleep with him. Abû Hanîfah, asked about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-rosenthal/ash-sh-fi-i-paid-no-attention-to-a-slave-girl-given-to-him-by-friends/) [Franz Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-rosenthal/) > [“A book of the Indians (that is, Kalîlah wa-Dimnah) teaches that a scholar’s knowledge accompanies him and provides for him wherever he goes, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-rosenthal/a-book-of-the-indians-that-is-kal-lah-wa-dimnah-teaches-that-a/) [Franz Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-rosenthal/) > [“Its insistence upon “knowledge” has no doubt made medieval Muslim civi lization one of great scholarly and scientifi c productivity, and through it, Muslim…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-rosenthal/its-insistence-upon-knowledge-has-no-doubt-made-medieval-muslim-civi/) [Franz Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-rosenthal/) > [“Their concept of knowledge was eloquently expressed, for instance, by Muâdh b. Jabal (d. 18/639, one of the trusted lieutenants of the Prophet, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-rosenthal/their-concept-of-knowledge-was-eloquently-expressed-for-instance-by/) [Franz Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-rosenthal/) > [“1. “Knowledge is an attribute (sifah) through which ignorance, doubt, or conjecturing is removed from him who is alive.”129”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-rosenthal/1-knowledge-is-an-attribute-sifah-through-which-ignorance-doubt-or/) [Franz Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-rosenthal/) > [“Al-Askarî gives examples of the high esteem shown to scholars and the important position in society they occupy, often in spite of their lowly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-rosenthal/al-askar-gives-examples-of-the-high-esteem-shown-to-scholars-and-the/) [Franz Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-rosenthal/) > [“The seekers after knowledge should, of course, not seek worldly knowledge and worldly gain but devote themselves to the denunciation of the world, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-rosenthal/the-seekers-after-knowledge-should-of-course-not-seek-worldly/) [Franz Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-rosenthal/) > [“A man remains knowing as long as he searches for knowledge and continues to study. When he thinks he knows, he has become ignorant.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-rosenthal/a-man-remains-knowing-as-long-as-he-searches-for-knowledge-and/) [Franz Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-rosenthal/) > [“The intellect itself was unable to state who God was, until God anointed its eyes with the light of divine uniqueness, for, as al-Kalâbâdhî…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-rosenthal/the-intellect-itself-was-unable-to-state-who-god-was-until-god/) [Franz Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-rosenthal/) > [“In Arabic linguistic usage, we are told, the interpretation of “water” as knowledge is confirmed by the common fi gure of speech that calls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-rosenthal/in-arabic-linguistic-usage-we-are-told-the-interpretation-of-water-as/) [Franz Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-rosenthal/) > [“Knowledge without action is like a bow without a string.” A relationship as close as blood relationship must be established between knowledge and action.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-rosenthal/knowledge-without-action-is-like-a-bow-without-a-string-a/) [Franz Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-rosenthal/) > [“Kings exercise control over people, and scholars exercise control over kings.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-rosenthal/kings-exercise-control-over-people-and-scholars-exercise-control-over/) [Franz Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-rosenthal/) > [“Your knowledge belongs to your spirit. Your wealth belongs to your body.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-rosenthal/your-knowledge-belongs-to-your-spirit-your-wealth-belongs-to-your-body/) [Franz Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-rosenthal/) > [“When Jesus was hailed with the words, “Blessed be the womb that bore you,” he retorted, “Blessed be the one whom God taught His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-rosenthal/when-jesus-was-hailed-with-the-words-blessed-be-the-womb-that-bore/) [Franz Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-rosenthal/) > [“Teachers must not be too severe, and students must not be bashful. According to Luqmân, a dignifi ed quiet on the part of scholars…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-rosenthal/teachers-must-not-be-too-severe-and-students-must-not-be-bashful/) [Franz Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-rosenthal/) [Explore all 65 Franz Rosenthal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-rosenthal/) ## More Knowledge quotes > [“Knowledge without conscience is but the ruin of the soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabelaise/knowledge-without-conscience-is-but-the-ruin-of-the-soul/) Rabelaise > [For successful education there must always be a certain freshness in the knowledge dealt with. It must be either new in itself or invested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/for-successful-education-there-must-always-be-a-certain-freshness-in/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [But I already saw no great difference between the psyche and spirituality. To amass knowledge without becoming wise is not my idea of progress…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-scott-peck/but-i-already-saw-no-great-difference-between-the-psyche-and/) [M. Scott Peck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-scott-peck/) > [If we will not interfere with our thought, but will act entirely, or see how the thing stands in God, we know the particular…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-we-will-not-interfere-with-our-thought-but-will-act-entirely-or/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [An enlightened awareness is within each one of us, right at this moment. This enlightened awareness is truly unborn and marvellously illuminating; and everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bankei-yotaku/an-enlightened-awareness-is-within-each-one-of-us-right-at-this/) [Bankei Yotaku](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bankei-yotaku/) > [One of the deepest and strangest of all human moods is the mood which will suddenly strike us perhaps in a garden at night,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-of-the-deepest-and-strangest-of-all-human-moods-is-the-mood-which/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I never knew any man who had once tasted the sweetness of experimental knowledge, that ever afterward fasted after ye Vapour garlick and onions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-zimmer/i-never-knew-any-man-who-had-once-tasted-the-sweetness-of/) [Carl Zimmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-zimmer/) > [I would rather excel others in the knowledge of what is excellent than in the extent of my powers and dominion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-the-great/i-would-rather-excel-others-in-the-knowledge-of-what-is-excellent/) [Alexander the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-the-great/) > [We know accurately only when we know little, with knowledge doubt increases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/we-know-accurately-only-when-we-know-little-with-knowledge-doubt/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I've always been a believer in research. It's great to have an instinctual human reaction to a character, too, of course, but it has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chiwetel-ejiofor/i-ve-always-been-a-believer-in-research-it-s-great-to-have-an/) [Chiwetel Ejiofor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chiwetel-ejiofor/) > [I am an aware citizen, so I want my characters to be aware, too. They should be aware of what's happening in the society…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pankaj-tripathi/i-am-an-aware-citizen-so-i-want-my-characters-to-be-aware-too-they/) [Pankaj Tripathi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pankaj-tripathi/) > [Technology means the systematic application of scientific or other organized knowledge to practical tasks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kenneth-galbraith/technology-means-the-systematic-application-of-scientific-or-other/) [John Kenneth Galbraith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kenneth-galbraith/) > [Love is a vision,love carry our vision,and love by-step our vision. we carry our love to our by-step. once love is vision love is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-is-a-vision-love-carry-our-vision-and-love-by-step-our-vision-we/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Man is an ignoramus athirst for knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-wagner/man-is-an-ignoramus-athirst-for-knowledge/) [Charles Wagner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-wagner/) [Browse all 13,227 Knowledge quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Knowledge,” which for al-Qônawî is never very far from Sufi gnosis, is “an abstract universal reality,” or “a single universal reality.” In contrast to rational knowledge, no perception-and-apperception (tasawwur/tasdîq) is involved in the visionary knowledge of the mystic, as believed by the great mass, but only perception. The Qur- ân is “the form of the knowl- edge that comprises the variety of possible conditions affecting existing things,” or it is the form of the divine attribute of knowledge.85 Another aspect of Muslim theology was thus invaded by logic in a rather intui- tive, unsystematic manner which, however, further shows the desire to divert the powerful current of thought centering around “knowledge” into special channels.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Franz Rosenthal" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-rosenthal/knowledge-which-for-al-q-naw-is-never-very-far-from-sufi-gnosis-is-an/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Knowledge" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-rosenthal/knowledge-which-for-al-q-naw-is-never-very-far-from-sufi-gnosis-is-an/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c87/franz-rosenthal-10507_knowledge_knowledge-which-for-al-q-naw-is-never-ve_439020.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c87/franz-rosenthal-10507_knowledge_knowledge-which-for-al-q-naw-is-never-ve_439020.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c87/franz-rosenthal-10507_knowledge_knowledge-which-for-al-q-naw-is-never-ve_439020.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Knowledge,” which for al-Qônawî is never very far from Sufi gnosis, is “an abstract universal reality,” or…” — Franz Rosenthal", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Franz Rosenthal", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-rosenthal/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Knowledge,” which for al-Qônawî is never...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-rosenthal/knowledge-which-for-al-q-naw-is-never-very-far-from-sufi-gnosis-is-an/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-rosenthal/knowledge-which-for-al-q-naw-is-never-very-far-from-sufi-gnosis-is-an/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```