The Five Senses: Concept and Understanding in Islamic Traditions

The Five Senses: Concept and Understanding in Islamic Traditions

Introduction

The Five Senses, known in Arabic as al-Ḥawāssu ʾl-K͟hamsah (الحواسّ الخمسة‎), encompass both external and internal faculties of perception and cognition. Islamic scholars have traditionally divided these senses into two broad categories: the external (z̤āhirī) senses and the internal (bāt̤inī) senses. This nuanced understanding enriches both the spiritual and intellectual dimensions of human experience in Islamic teachings.

Etymology and Translation

• Arabic Term: الحواسّ الخمسة‎ (al-Ḥawāssu ʾl-K͟hamsah)
• Turkish Translation: Beş Duyu

External Senses (al-Ḥawāssu ʾz̤āhirī)

The external senses in Islamic thought align closely with what is recognized in European traditions. These five faculties allow human beings to interact with and interpret the physical world:

1. Seeing (baṣirah) - The capacity for visual perception.
2. Hearing (sāmiʿah) - The ability to perceive sound.
3. Smelling (shāmmah) - The faculty of olfaction.
4. Taste (ẕāʾiqah) - The sense that detects flavorful substances.
5. Touch (lāmisah) - The sensation of physical contact and texture.

Internal Senses (al-Ḥawāssu ʾl-Bāt̤inī)

Beyond the external senses, Islamic philosophy identifies five internal faculties, which form the basis for mental and intellectual processes:

1. Common Sense (ḥiss-i-mushtarak) - The integrative faculty that combines sensory inputs to form a unified perception.
2. Imaginative Faculty (qūwat-i-k͟hayāl) - The capacity to create mental images and envision beyond immediate perception.
3. Thinking Faculty (qūwat-i-mutaṣarrifah) - The ability to reason, analyze, and deliberate.
4. Instinctive Faculty (qūwat-i-wāhimah) - The intuition and assessment of abstract concepts and non-sensory experiences.
5. Retentive Faculty (qūwat-i-ḥāfiz̤ah) - The faculty responsible for memory and storage of knowledge.

Significance in Islamic Thought

The intricate categorization of senses underscores the holistic view in Islamic philosophy that human comprehension extends beyond the physical to encompass the mental and spiritual. Recognizing these faculties aids in understanding human potential and limitations while emphasizing the importance of balance in cognitive and sensory faculties.

Recommended Books for Further Study

1. “Islamic Philosophy and the Classical Tradition: Essays Presented by His Friends and Pupils to Richard Walzer on His Seventieth Birthday” - Edited by S. M. Stern, Albert Hourani, and Vivian Brown.
2. “The History of Islamic Philosophy” - Edited by Seyyed Hossein Nasr and Oliver Leaman.
3. “Avicenna and the Visionary Recital” - By Henry Corbin, translated by Willard Trask.
4. “The Study Quran: A New Translation and Commentary” - Edited by Seyyed Hossein Nasr.

Takeaways

• The Five Senses in Islamic writings extend beyond physical perception to include cognitive and intellectual faculties.
• The external senses allow interaction with the physical world, while the internal senses relate to mental and abstract understanding.
• Islamic thought advocates for a balanced integration of all these faculties for comprehensive knowledge and spiritual growth.

Conclusion

The concept of the Five Senses in Islamic traditions enriches our understanding of human perception and cognition by combining sensory and intellective dimensions. This harmonious approach not only aligns with but also extends beyond classical perceptions, advocating for a balanced and holistic appreciation of human capabilities.

By exploring these faculties through the lens of Islamic thought, we gain deeper insight into the nuanced ways in which human beings can engage with both the material and immaterial aspects of existence.