Nazar
Definition
Nazar — often translated as 'rational consideration' or 'looking' — is the active engagement of the intellect with observable reality in order to extract its deeper meaning. Al-Ghazali presents nazar as one of the primary methods of tafakkur: looking at the world around one, not as passive observation but as active inquiry — asking what this reality reveals about its Creator, what wisdom is embedded in this design, what divine intention lies behind this phenomenon. The Quran repeatedly commands this kind of nazar: 'Do they not look at the sky? Do they not consider the camel? Do they not observe the earth?' — inviting the human mind to become a reader of divine signs.
As understood in the classical tradition of Imam al-Ghazali and the scholars of his school.
How the scholars use Nazar.
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"has been previously explained in the story of Noah. They said, Do not abandon your gods, and do not abandon Wad, nor Suwa, nor Yaguth, nor Ya'uk, nor Nazar. Indeed they have led many astray. Ibn Abbas said, These were righteous people among the people of Noah, and when they died they devoted themselves to their graves. When a long time passed, they began to worship them. We have explained how this matter unfolded in their worship, which makes it unnecessary to repeat it here. Ibn Ishaq and others said, Then these idols became prevalent among the Arabs after they altered the religion of Isma'l. Wad was for the Banu Kalb ibn Murrah"
— Ibn Kathir, Volume 2 — From the Israelite Prophets to Pre-Islamic Arabia
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"only increased him in loss. They plotted a mighty plot and said, Do not leave your gods nor Wadsua, Yehudah, or the land of Israel. Ya'uk and Nazar. They have led many astray. Do not increase the wrongdoers except in misguidance. Because of their sins they were drowned and admitted into a fire, finding no helpers besides Allah. Noah continued, My Lord, do not leave any disbelievers on earth. If you leave them, they will mislead your servants and only beget wicked and disbelieving descendants. My Lord, forgive me, my parents, whoever enters my house as a believer and the believing men and women. Do not increase the wrongdoers"
— Ibn Kathir, Volume 1 — From Creation to Mūsā
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"Sins are divided into minor and major categories according to the explicit texts of the القُرْآن and السُّنَّة, as well as the consensus of the early scholars and rational consideration. اللّٰه the Almighty says, "If you avoid the major sins which you are forbidden, We will remove from you your lesser sins," from سُورَة النِّسَاء."
— Ibn al-Qayyim, Volume One
Appears in
1 book in the library
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