[5-6] Thalaathat Al-Usul

What do “Know” and “may Allah have mercy upon you” introduce, and how is knowledge defined?

“Know” introduces knowledge—al-ʿilm—which is to comprehend the reality of something as it truly is, with certainty.

What are the six levels of comprehension, and how are they distinguished?

1) Knowledge—al-ʿilm: comprehending something as it truly is, with certainty.
2) Simple ignorance—al-jahl al-basīṭ: absence of full comprehension; the person does not know.
3) Compounded ignorance—al-jahl al-murakkab: comprehending something contrary to reality; the person is wrong but believes he is right.
4) Delusion—al-wahm: leaning toward the weaker possibility despite what indicates it is incorrect.
5) Doubt—al-shakk: regarding two contrary possibilities as equally likely.
6) Preponderant belief—al-ẓann: leaning toward the stronger possibility while recognizing a weaker contrary possibility.

Into what two categories is knowledge divided?

1) Necessary knowledge—al-ʿilm al-ḍarūrī: known without investigation or proof, such as knowing that fire is hot.

2) Investigative knowledge—al-ʿilm al-naẓarī: requires investigation and proof, such as knowing that intention is obligatory for wuḍūʾ.

a)What does “raḥimak Allāh”—may Allah have mercy upon you—mean? b)What does mercy mean when mentioned alone?
c)What does mercy and forgiveness mentioned together mean?
d)What does this supplication show about the author?

A) It asks Allah to enable the person to attain what he seeks and escape what he fears.

B) When mercy is mentioned alone, it includes:
1) Forgiveness of previous sins
2) Guidance to future good and correctness
3) Protection from future sins

C) When mercy and forgiveness are mentioned together, maghfirah refers to forgiveness of previous sins, while raḥmah refers to future good and protection.

D) The author’s supplication also shows his care, concern, and desire for goodness for the reader.