Mystical knowledge is tricky when it comes to epistemology because it’s deeply personal and hard to verify. Epistemology, which focuses on how we know things, tends to prioritize methods that are objective and accessible—things like observation and logic. Mystical experiences don’t fit neatly into that framework because they’re not something everyone can share or test. Mystical Knowledge vs. Rational Understanding Mystical knowledge might seem more profound on a metaphysical level since it deals with ultimate truths about existence. But from an epistemological perspective—how we build and verify knowledge—it’s not where we start. Instead, we begin with our senses, logic, and reason before moving toward abstract or spiritual insights. The Role of Reason Mystical experiences, no matter how powerful, need to be grounded in reason for several reasons: 1. Shared Understanding: Without rational standards, people can’t evaluate or share mystical insights, making it hard to build a unified community. 2. Avoiding Mistakes: Personal experiences can be misinterpreted. Rational frameworks help distinguish genuine insights from error. 3. Public Debate: You can’t prove something to others with personal experiences alone. Reason and evidence are needed to engage with others, especially in interfaith or public contexts. On Perennialism and Relativity Perennialism—the idea that all religions are relative paths to the same truth—has its own issues. If all religions are relative, who decides that? It sneaks in an unstated “absolute,” often leaving the perennialist in the role of ultimate judge. This undermines their claim of treating all religions equally. Why Orthodoxy Matters Orthodoxy helps balance personal spiritual experiences with communal truth. It ensures mystical insights are interpreted within a shared framework, so they don’t lead to confusion or division. This is like the moon-sighting analogy: a communal religion needs practices and truths everyone can understand and verify, not just something that relies on experts or the privileged few. Bottom Line Mystical knowledge can be profound, but it can’t stand alone. It needs to be paired with reason and a shared framework to make sense to others and fit into a community. Rationality is the foundation that keeps mystical insights meaningful and grounded. Shaykh Shadee Elmasry & Shaykh Hasan Spiker.