GAZÂLÎ’YE GÖRE BİR BİLGİ KAYNAĞI OLARAK MARİFET

The mystics believe that the ma’rifa which is obtained by inner experience without any agent is more superior than the knowledge that is given by senses and mental ability, and they argue that the ma’rifa is the actual knowledge. Ghazali who is one of the most prominent figures in the tradition of tasavvuf accepts the ma’rifa that is the ultimate ideal. The subject of this article is the importance of ma’rifa in the philosophy of Ghazali. It is studied how Ghazali defines the ma’rifa, and to what degree he emphasizes its importance. Furthermore, It is examined that possibilities and limits of ma’rifa and the role of the heart for obtaining the ma’rifa.