👁️👂👃👅👐 The Five Senses: An Islamic Perspective

Introduction: The Five Senses in Islamic Thought

The concept of the Five Senses, known in Arabic as “al-ḥawāssu ʾl-k͟hamsah” (الحواسّ الخمسة‎), represents a significant aspect of Islamic thought. Islamic scholars traditionally categorize these senses into two groups: external (z̤āhirī) and internal (bāt̤inī). This dual categorization not only maps the basic human faculties but reaches deeper into the realms of psychology and spirituality.

Etymology and Background

The Arabic term “al-ḥawāssu ʾl-k͟hamsah” directly translates to “the Five Senses”. The concept is grounded in the works of early Islamic scholars, who were influenced by both Islamic scripture and earlier Greek philosophical traditions.

External Senses (z̤āhirī)

In Islam, the external senses are:

1. Seeing (baṣirah)
2. Hearing (sāmiʿah)
3. Smelling (shāmmah)
4. Taste (ẕāʾiqah)
5. Touch (lāmisah)

These faculties are akin to those discussed in Western traditions, providing humans with the ability to perceive and interact with the external world.

Internal Senses (bāt̤inī)

Going beyond the physical, Islamic scholars identify five internal senses:

1. Common Sense (ḥiss-i-mushtarak): Integrates the different external sensory inputs into a coherent experience.
2. Imaginative Faculty (qūwat-i-k͟hayāl): Allows for the creation and manipulation of mental images.
3. Thinking Faculty (qūwat-i-mutaṣarrifah): Engages in reasoning and intellectual thought.
4. Instinctive Faculty (qūwat-i-wāhimah): Deals with instincts and basic survival functions.
5. Retentive Faculty (qūwat-i-ḥāfiz̤ah): Concerns memory and the retention of information.

Cultural Differences and Similarities

The Islamic division of senses into external and internal aligns with the Aristotelian and later Scholastic traditions but also features unique aspects informed by Islamic theology and mysticism. The notion of internal senses introduces a spiritual dimension, emphasizing the importance of mental and spiritual faculties in perceiving and interacting with the divine and metaphysical realities.

Synonyms and Related Terms

• External Senses: Physical senses, sensory perception, sensory faculties.
• Internal Senses: Inner faculties, cognitive faculties, spiritual senses.

Exciting Facts

1. Interdisciplinary Influence: Islamic scholars’ studies on senses have influenced both Western and Eastern thought traditions, especially through the translation and transmission of Islamic philosophical works during the medieval period.
2. Philosophical Depth: Al-Ghazali, a prominent Islamic philosopher, extensively explored the internal senses in his works on psychology and spirituality.

Quotations

• Al-Ghazali: “The heart has perceptions beyond the reach of the physical senses, a domain where the divine light bestows insights unknown yet indispensable to the comprehension of our reality.”

Further Studies and References

1. Books:

   • “Deliverance from Error” by Al-Ghazali
   • “The Metaphysics of Ibn Sina (Avicenna)” by Parviz Morewedge
   • “Traditional Islamic Philosophy” by Mulla Sadra

2. Research Papers:

   • “Sensory Perception in Islamic Philosophy” by R. Arnaldez
   • “The Legacy of Avicenna: A Scientist’s Influence on the Modern World” by L.E. Goodman

3. Journals:

   • Journal of Islamic Studies
   • Islamic Quarterly

Quizzes

Fair winds and following seas on your journey of knowledge, Aisha Nader October 3, 2023