Page 330 - Proceedings Collega2023

Al-Ghazali further extends this symbolism by associating each spirit with specific elements. For
instance, the sensory spirit is symbolized by the niche from a lamp in a wall, drawing a parallel between
sensory perception and the act of lighting. The imaginative spirit, symbolized by glass, underscores the
transformation of the material world into transparent understanding through refinement. The
intelligential spirit is seen as the "light-giving lamp," signifying its role in comprehending divine ideas. The
discursive spirit is likened to a tree, symbolizing the multiplication and establishment of knowledge
through logical division. Lastly, the transcendental prophetic spirit is presented as a luminous source
unaffected by external factors. Summary of these symbolisms is shown in Table 3.

Table 3: Extended Symbolism Methods of Spirits by Al-Ghazali (c. 1056–1111)

No. Symbolic Element Description
1 Sensory Spirit It represents illumination and observation through various apertures like the eyes,
ears, and nostrils. In our worldly experience, it finds its closest parallel in the niche
from which a lamp radiates on a wall.
2 Imaginative Spirit This spirit possesses three distinct characteristics: firstly, it deals with elements from
the material world, such as objects with definite size, shape, and dimension, often
linked to notions of distance. Secondly, it remains opaque to the pure intelligence's
light, which transcends categories of direction, quantity, and distance. Lastly, when
this substance undergoes clarification, refinement, discipline, and control, it aligns
itself with and resembles the ideas of intelligence, becoming transparent to their
illuminating influence. In our everyday experience, the most fitting analogy is glass,
which initially is opaque but can be refined until it becomes a medium for the
unaltered transmission of light from a lamp.
3 Intelligential Spirit This spirit facilitates an understanding of divine ideas, exemplifying the concept that
prophets serve as "light-giving lamps" illuminating the path to enlightenment.
4 Discursive Spirit This spirit commences with a single proposition and systematically branches out
into multiple premises. As this process unfolds, the number of premises multiplies,
eventually generating a profusion of conclusions, each with the potential for further
expansion. The symbol in our physical world for this concept is a tree. In this context,
the fruit of discursive reasoning serves as the material for the proliferation,
consolidation, and establishment of all knowledge. Intellectual propositions
originating from this spirit do not concern themselves with matters of direction and
distance. Thus, the symbolic tree can be described as "neither from the east nor
from the west."
5 Transcendental This spirit is possessed not only by prophets but also by saints. When absolutely
Prophetic Spirit luminous and clear, it is distinct from other aspects of the thought-spirit. While
some portions of this spirit require external instruction, advice, and information to
sustain continuous knowledge acquisition, a segment of it remains inherently clear,
akin to self-luminosity, devoid of external influences. The reference to "whose oil
were well-nigh illuminant, though fire touched it not" elucidates that the lights
within the human spirit are arranged in a hierarchical manner, with the sensory
spirit occupying the foundational position, followed by the imaginative spirit as a
preparatory stage for the intelligence and discursive reasoning. This graded
succession of lights elucidates the phrase "light upon light" found in the text.

This intricate symbolism ultimately leads to a profound understanding of illumination in Al-
Ghazali's teachings. Illumination, as depicted through this symbolism, signifies an enhanced awareness of
the world's dual nature—both material and immaterial. It highlights the connection between religion,

International Conference on Local Wisdom of the Malay Archipelago (COLLEGA 2023) Page - 317 -