| Chapter 1: | Discourse on Motivation and Children |
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action. Knowledge precedes it, since knowledge is its foundation and prerequisite. Action follows it, for action is its outcome and offshoot. This is because all action, and I mean all voluntary activity and inactivity, is incomplete except with knowledge, want and ability. This is because a person does not want what he does not know, so it is, therefore, essential that he possesses knowledge. Furthermore, he does not do what he does not want, so ir
da is a prerequisite. The meaning of irda is ‘the impulse of the heart towards that which it deems to be in accordance with an objective, present or future’.39
da is a prerequisite. The meaning of irda is ‘the impulse of the heart towards that which it deems to be in accordance with an objective, present or future’.39
He also mentioned:
This type of want is a distinctive feature of the human heart; when the heart recognises the consequence of a matter and its practicability by using the intellect, a desire towards a particular interest springs from within. There is a desire to carry out what leads to it, as well as wanting it. That is different from the carnal ‘want’ and the ‘want’ of animals; rather it is the opposite of the carnal desires.40
In summing up the classical Muslim opinions on irda, Miqd
d Yljin, a present-day Muslim educationist, provided the following explanation:
Islam addresses the issue of irda with reference to its nature, its various divisions and its fields of practice. As to its nature, it equates to the determination and resolve to act upon something, or to abandon it. The indication of [the existence of] irda is a direct inclination towards an intended action or adopting the means towards it.41
da with reference to its nature, its various divisions and its fields of practice. As to its nature, it equates to the determination and resolve to act upon something, or to abandon it. The indication of [the existence of] irda is a direct inclination towards an intended action or adopting the means towards it.41
‘Ilmu-l-sul
k Definitions
The ‘ilmu-l-sul
k meanings for irda deal with the concept of sulk, which, according to Sufis, is wayfaring upon a Sufi 
ar
qa (order). The definitions involve abandoning habits that are built upon desire and neglect, exerting oneself in perfecting servitude to God, purifying the soul, the wholehearted acceptance of truth, and the continuous remembrance of God (dhikr).42 For instance, al-Jurjn
mentions that irda is