Discover the meaning of the term Al-ghalaṭ (غَلَط) in Islamic vocabulary.
Contents :
Updated on 11 April 2026 at 1:05 AM
📖 2 min readThat which is contrary to reality. The author of Al-Khayalat al-Latifah said in his marginal notes on the commentary of Al-Aqaid al-Nasafiyyah regarding his statement: He may make many mistakes. The usage of the term mistake by them, meaning the Agnostics, is based on the people's assumption, end of quote. This is an indication to refute what is said, namely that a mistake is that which is contrary to reality, whereas they deny reality and the existence of the senses. It is therefore incorrect to say that they claim the senses can make a mistake. The gist of the refutation is that their use of the term mistake is based on the people's assumption, otherwise they are in doubt regarding the existence of the senses, their perception, their error, and even regarding doubt itself, so understand well.
Verbal noun of ghalata: when one misses the correct point in his speech. Al-Saadi said: The Arabs say: he erred in his speech, and he erred in the calculation. Al-Jawhari narrated from some of them that they are two attributes with the same meaning. Al-Misbah al-Munir, page 450, and Al-Mutla, page 408. The foreclosure of the pledge: the origin of foreclosure in the language is obstruction and closure. It is said: the door closed and locked, when it is difficult to open it. Foreclosure in the pledge is the opposite of its release. When the pledger releases the pledge, he thus frees it from its bond with the pledgee. Its conventional meaning: the creditor taking the pledged item in exchange for the debt in case of non-payment, and this is forbidden. In the hadith: The pledge shall not be foreclosed.
That which is contrary to reality without intention, as long as the correct way is not known.