120 AN INTRODUCTION TO SUFI DOCTRINE

may be considered as its plastic material; for this
reason it corresponds by analogy to the materia prima
on which the plastic continuity of the “cosmic dream”
depends just as, subjectively, it depends on imagination.

If the imagination can be a cause of illusion by
binding the intelligence to the level of sensory forms it
none the less also has a spiritually positive aspect in so
far as it fixes intellectual intuitions or inspirations in
the form of symbols. For imagination to be able to
assume this function it must have acquired in full measure
its plastic capacity ; the misdeeds of imagination come
not so much from its development as from its being
enslaved by passion and feeling. Imagination is one of
the mirrors of Intellect; its perfection lies in its remain-
ing virginal and of wide compass.

Some Sufi writers, including ‘Abd al-Karim al-Jilj,
have said that the dark pole of the mind is al-wahm, a
term which means conjecture and also opinion, sugges-
tion and suspicion and so mental illusion. This is the
reverse of the speculative freedom of the mind. The
power of illusion of the mind is, as it were, fascinated by
an abyss; it is attracted by every unexhausted negative
possibility. When this power dominates the imagina-
tion, imagination becomes the greatest obstacle to
spirituality. In this context may be quoted the saying
of the Prophet that “the worst thing your soul suggests
to you is suspicion.”

As for memory, this has a double aspect; as the
faculty of retaining impressions it is passive and
““carthly” and it is called al-hifz in this relationship ;