In Islam, the root of gnosis is divided into two types, one is Irfan and another is tasawwuf. Since this is the first part of Islamic Gnosis, I would like to talk about the concept of Irfan or Erfan that is basically known in the Imamiyah Isna Asyariyyah faith.
'Irfan comes from the word ma'rifah (also recognised as gnosis), literally means knowledge, but its technical meaning is specific to ilm (knowledge) of certain kind which can be achieved not by the senses nor experience, nor through reason nor narration, it is acquired by inner witnessing and interior unveilings. These are generalised to some propositions which describe these witnessing and unveiling.
The realm of gnosis can be identified in 3 elements:
a) Specific practical instructions which are alleged to lead man to intuitive and interior gnosis and conscious knowledge by presence related to God Most Beautiful Names and His sublime attributes and their manifestations.
b) Specific spiritual and psychic states and traits of character and ultimately, the unveiling and witnessing achieved by the wayfarer.
c) The propositions and statements indicating these intuitive direct findings.
(Taken from Islamic Gnosis ('Irfan) & Wisdom (Hikmat) by Muhammad Taqi Misbah Yazdi).
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