THE MYSTERIES OF THE HUMAN SOUL AL-GHAZALI

Nikola Benin, Ph.D

 

There is a reason why the divisibility of the soul should be rejected as contrary to rational necessity. Let us say: Is the soul of Zaid identical with that of 'Amr or other than it?

If it is identical, it would be a self-evident absurdity, for each one of the two is conscious of himself, knowing that he is not the same as any other. If the souls were the same, they would be equal in respect of cognitions.

But if you say that the soul of Zaid is other than that of 'Amr and that the duality is the result of the division necessitated by the relation of the two souls to bodies, we will say: The division of that which is one and which possesses no magnitude or quantity is evidently impossible.

How can that which is one become two and then regain oneness? Such a thing is conceivable in the case of that which has magnitude or quantity.

All the learned of all ages have agreed to lead the human mind to the belief that the human soul is a part of the universe which is indivisible - of course to call it a part is fallacious, since a part belongs to the whole, and here there is no whole.

When you have understood that soul is an indivisible thing, you should further know that either it occupies space or it is maiterless.