Whoever thinks that the unveiling of truth depends on precisely formulated proofs has indeed straitened the broad mercy of God… For primary truths are unseekable, because they are present in the mind.

Abu Hamid al-Ghazali

Primary Truths

Theme: Truth

This malady was mysterious and it lasted for nearly two months. During that time I was a skeptic in fact, but not in utterance and doctrine. At length God Most High cured me of that sickness. My soul regained its health and equilibrium and once again I accepted the self-evident data of reason and relied on them with safety and certainty But that was not achieved by constructing a proof or putting together an argument. On the contrary, it was the effect of a light which God Most High cast into my breast. And that light is the key to most knowledge.

Therefore, whoever thinks that the unveiling of truth depends on precisely formulated proofs has indeed straitened the broad mercy of God. The aim of this account is to emphasize that one should be most diligent in seeking the truth until he finally comes to seeking the unseekable. For primary truths are unseekable, because they are present in the mind.

Abu Hamid al-Ghazali

Abū Ḥāmid Muḥammad ibn Muḥammad al-Ghazālī, commonly known as Al-Ghazali, was a figure of towering intellect and deep spiritual insight. Born in Persia around 1058, he left an indelible mark on Sunni Islam as one of its most influential philosophers, theologians, jurists, and mystics. His profound understanding of the Islamic tradition, coupled with a relentless quest for spiritual truth, contributed to a body of work that transcended the boundaries of time and geography, embedding him deeply within the history and consciousness of the Islamic world. A scholar of immense stature, he was well-versed in the complexities of Islamic jurisprudence, the intricacies of philosophy, and the subtle depths of mysticism. His multifaceted genius is evident in his ability to interweave these diverse strands of knowledge into a cohesive vision of the faith.

Within the Islamic tradition, Al-Ghazali holds the distinct honor of being recognized as a Mujaddid, a renewer of the faith. The concept of the Mujaddid comes from a prophetic hadith stating that God sends such a figure once every century to revive the faith of the ummah - the global community of Muslims. Al-Ghazali was seen as embodying this role, as he worked tirelessly to elucidate the teachings of Islam, addressing both the challenges of his time and the timeless questions of human existence. His writings, imbued with a profound wisdom and a deep love for God, continue to guide and inspire Muslims around the world, aiding them in their quest to understand and live out their faith in a holistic manner.

Such was the impact of Al-Ghazali's works and the respect he commanded from his contemporaries that he was bestowed with the honorific title "Proof of Islam" (Hujjat al-Islam). This title is a testament to his role as a beacon of knowledge and spirituality, illuminating the path for seekers of truth in their journey towards God. Despite his passing on December 19, 1111, the legacy of Al-Ghazali continues to shine brightly, his teachings serving as a bridge between the intellectual and spiritual dimensions of Islam, guiding generations of believers towards a deeper, more meaningful understanding of their faith.

(c. 1058 –1111) Islam
Deliverance from Error

Al-Ghazali, Abu Hamid Muhammad. "Al-Ghazali's Path to Sufism: His Deliverance from Error." Translated by R.J. McCarthy SJ, 1st ed., [Publisher], 2000.

Abu Hamid al-Ghazali

Theme: Truth

About This Imam Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali Quotation [Commentary]

Imam Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali, in “Deliverance from Error (al-Munqidh min al-Dalal),” offers a unique view on the essence of truth. He states, “Whoever thinks that the unveiling of truth depends on precisely formulated proofs has indeed straitened the broad mercy of God… For primary truths are unseekable, because they are present in the mind.” This quote reflects Al-Ghazali’s insight into the limitations of rational inquiry for grasping deeper truths. His personal journey, marked by a spiritual crisis and subsequent recovery through divine enlightenment, highlights his belief that certain truths transcend rationality. This journey illustrates a shift from skepticism to certainty, achieved not through logic, but through an inner, divinely inspired awakening.

Al-Ghazali’s focus on ‘primary truths’ as ‘unseekable’ in the mind shifts the paradigm in seeking truth. This resonates with the Sufi tradition, which values direct, experiential knowledge of God over intellectual understanding. Al-Ghazali reports that truth is recognized internally, via an impulse of divine light in the heart revealing innate truths in the soul. His narrative encourages reflection on truth as intertwined with inner wisdom and divine revelation, rather than solely empirical or logical validation.

Al-Ghazali’s teachings advocate for a humble, open approach to the divine and life’s mysteries. He posits that the deepest truths elude human reason, guiding us to a stance of reverence and awe towards the divine. This perspective doesn’t lessen the importance of reason but integrates it into a broader framework, where divine grace and inner realization are essential. In a world often dominated by empirical evidence and logic, Al-Ghazali’s insights remind us of a more comprehensive way of understanding truth, encompassing the heart’s wisdom and the soul’s direct connection with the divine.

This passage by Imam Al Ghazali

This passage by Imam Al Ghazali can be found towards the end of the introduction section:

“This malady was mysterious and it lasted for nearly two months. During that time I was a skeptic in fact, but not in utterance and doctrine. At length, God Most High cured me of that sickness. My soul regained its health and equilibrium and once again I accepted the self-evident data of reason and relied on them with safety and certainty But that was not achieved by constructing a proof or putting together an argument. On the contrary, it was the effect of a light which God Most High cast into my breast. And that light is the key to most knowledge.

Therefore, whoever thinks that the unveiling of truth depends on precisely formulated proofs has indeed straitened the broad mercy of God. The aim of this account is to emphasize that one should be most diligent in seeking the truth until he finally comes to seeking the unseekable. For primary truths are unseekable, because they are present in the mind.”

―Al-Ghazali, Abu Hamid Muhammad. “Al-Ghazali’s Path to Sufism: His Deliverance from Error.” Translated by R.J. McCarthy SJ, 1st ed., [Publisher], 2000.

Additional Quotes Related to Al-Ghazali

“It is customary with weaker intellects thus to take the men as criterion of the truth and not the truth as criterion of the men. The intelligent man follows Ali (may God be pleased with him) when he said, `Do not know the truth by the men, but know the truth, and then you will know who are truthful’. The intelligent man knows the truth; then he examines the particular assertion. If it is true, he accepts it, whether the speaker is a truthful person or not. Indeed he is often anxious to separate out the truth from the discourses of those who are in error, for he knows that gold is found mixed in gravel with dross.
Yet this is the prevalent idea among the majority of men. Wherever one ascribes a statement to an author of whom they approve, they accept it, even although it is false; wherever one ascribes it to an author of whom they disapprove, they reject it even although it is true. They always make the man the criterion of truth and not truth the criterion of the man; and that is erroneous in the extreme.”

―The Faith and Practice of Al-Ghazali. By W. Montgomery Watt―Senior Lecturer in Arabic University of Edinburgh. An E-text production by Islamic Philosophy Online for Al-Ghazali website. [Accessed 1/17/24.]

“Do not know the truth by the men, but know the truth, and then you will know who are truthful.”

―This popularly paraphrased quote, attributed to Al-Ghazali, is derived from his work, “The Deliverance from Error” (Al-Munqidh min al-Dalal).

Primary Truths

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