First, they have considered what is called “mystical...

First, they have considered what is called “mystical intuition” to be of the same order as normal thought and hence they have imagined that the knowledge gained by the purification of the soul is a system of poetical thoughts, much as if a poet with his overflowing and creative imagination and his eloquent means of expression could voice such concepts better than a mystic knower of the divine secrets.

A similar mistake is made in the case of revelation, which is the celestial perception of prophets and the means of receiving divine sciences and laws. As a result, the basic source of Islamic doctrine and injunctions is represented as being Greek thought and Roman law. This mistake is perfectly obvious in the discussions carried on about prophecy and the “mode of thought” of prophets.

Moreover, the words and utterances which have reached us from the prophets-whether their claim to prophecy is true or not-openly contradict such opinions. The second mistake is that, even if we accept the theory of evolution as proven and definitely established, this theory must not be taken as providing the reason for the manifestation of an instinctive drive.

For, an instinct placed within a species’ primordial nature at its creation will be manifested within each individual of that species (provided there be no external impediment), whether or not there is a precedent. As a case in point, it can be said that diversity in foodstuffs and the preparation of sophisticated cuisine was learned by the Arabs from the Persians, but it cannot be said that the Arabs learned how to eat from the Persians.

Likewise, it can be said that democratic government with its manifold administrative organizations spread to the East from the West, but this cannot be said about the very art of forming a society and establishing a government.

In our previous discussion, it became clear that the way of purification of the soul, that is, the spiritual life and mystical intuition, is innate within the nature of man; once awakened through the necessary groundwork and the removal of obstacles, it will direct man to enter upon the path of spiritual illumination.