The levels of comprehension
Shaykh Ibn al-‘Uthaymin:
The levels of comprehension are six:
1. Knowledge (al ‘Ilm) – which is to comprehend the reality of something as it truly is, with certainty.
2. Slight ignorance (al Jahlul Basit) – which is absence of full comprehension
3. Aggravated/compounded ignorance (al Jahlul Murakkab) – which is to comprehend something in a way contrary to its true reality.
4. Delusion (al Wahm) – which is to think that one comprehends something despite the presence of that which should cause you to realize that you are incorrect.
5. Doubt (ash Shakk) – which is to think that you comprehend something, yet you are aware of something contrary to it which you think has the same possibility of being the truth.
6. Preponderant belief (Dhann) – which is comprehension of something, despite the presence of something which is contrary to it, but which is less likely to be true.
[Sharh al-Usul Ath-Thaalatha, p.16]
Al-Hasan Al-Basrî [Rahimahullaah] said:
When a man sought knowledge, it would not be long before it could be seen in
– his humbleness,
– his sight,
– upon his tongue and his hands,
– in his prayer,
– in his speech and in his disinterest (zuhd) in worldly allurements.
And a man would acquire a portion of knowledge and put it into practice, and it would be better for him than the world and all it contains – if he owned it he would give it in exchange for the hereafter.
Ibn Al-Mubârak, Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqâ`iq Vol.1 p.156.