Marvels of the Heart - Tarjuma Tarjuma

In the fourth session of our second semester of our weekly class on Imam Abū Ḥāmid Muḥammad al-Ghazālī’s Exploring the Marvels of the Heart, we explore “Gaining Experiential Knowledge. This session covers pages 67-76 of the text.

In the second session of our second semester 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 “How does the heart access its treasures?” and “What is inspiration?”, this session covers pages 51-56 of the text.

“How does the heart access its treasures?”

The “treasures” of knowledge.

Knowledge is acquired through sense perception (study), which also involves insight (capacity to obtain knowledge) and reflexion (processing of knowledge)



“What is inspiration?”
Knowledge that is given as a pure gift by God. The method and/or cause may be known or unknown



Method Known: Revelation through Angels to the Prophets (The Prophets perceive the Angels)

Method Unknown: Inspiration / visions / intuitive sense or true dream obtained to the Righteous

Knowledge of the outward and knowledge of the inward must come together

It is not enough to focus on self purification, isolation, and the esoteric. It is necessary to embark on the journey with companionship and mentorship, and to attain knowledge of the Sacred creed and worldly responsibilities.

In the first session of our second semester 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 “How does the heart access knowledge?” and “What is the relationship between knowledge and spirituality”, this session covers pages 45-50 of the text.

“How does the heart access knowledge?”

Imam al-Ghazālī’s categorization of knowledge:

Knowledge pertaining to the intellect: 


Axiomatic: An axiom is considered true innately or intuitively
Acquired: Empirically / experientially obtained

Knowledge pertaining to the Divine Law:


Do not have access to it except through revelation

“What is the relationship between knowledge and spirituality”

It is by purifying our hearts that we gain access to knowledge

You can also view detailed class notes, supplemental materials, and references for our first semester on Google Classroom. You can join our Google Classroom by using the code 9kfttk.

Join us in our weekly study of the text, Marvels of the Heart, every Saturday morning from November 9 to December 14 at 10 am, hosted at Amber Cafe! You are welcome to join us even if you didn't attend the first semester. You can catch up by reviewing last semester's class notes, supplemental materials, and podcast recordings. To access these materials and receive weekly class updates, please register for the second semester at tarjuma.ca/marvels.

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?


Resources and References

In our fourth session of our weekly class on Imam Abu Hamid Muhammad al-Ghazali’s Exploring the Marvels of the Heart, we explore “Summarizing the Qualities of the Heart”. Centering around answering the questions “What forces compete for control of the heart?” and “What does the balanced heart look like?”, this session covers pages 29-34 of the text.