Presence of Mind

Taqiuddin an-Nabhani

This book discusses the concept of quick wit, its relation to intelligence, and how to develop it. It explores the difference between natural and cultivated quick wit, and its impact on the Muslim Ummah. It emphasizes the importance of understanding Islamic rulings and converting them into political thought to develop quick wit based on Islamic principles.

مقدمة / Introduction

Quick wit is issuing a judgment on things swiftly based on a rapid and fleeting perception. For example, when someone asks you where you are from, you quickly grasp the intent behind the question and what lies beneath it, and you quickly judge the question. Thus, you possess quick wit. Based on this quick wit, you give the questioner the appropriate answer in such a situation. For instance, when you hear news of an official's visit to a country, you quickly understand the purpose of this visit, thus possessing quick wit. Based on this quick wit, you determine the actions necessary in this regard. For example, when you are surprised by someone entering unexpectedly, you quickly understand the reason for their visit, thus possessing quick wit. And based on this quick wit, you take the appropriate action that aligns with this rapid perception. So, while quick wit primarily means speed of perception or speed of thought, it refers to the speed of judgment on the thing that confronts you, based on the speed of perception. The core is indeed speed in perception or speed in thought, but the intention is speed in judgment. Therefore, quick wit is the speed of judgment on things, because judging things is perceiving or thinking, even if it is a result of perception and thinking.

1. Table of Contents.. 5

2. Quick Wit 7

3. Intelligence and Quick Wit 26

4. Using Intelligence and Quick Wit 42

5. Natural Quick Wit and Artificial Quick Wit 52

6. The Problem 62

7. The Reality of the Problem 72

8. Solving the Problem 78

9. Suffering and Quick Wit 84

10. What Should Be Done First. 90

11. Suffering and Quick Wit 96

12. The Reality of What Exists. 101

13. The Essence of Quick Wit 110

14. The Impact of Quick Wit on the Ummah 114

15. The Difference Between Quick Wit and Quick Observation 125

16. How to Develop Quick Wit 128

خاتمة / Conclusion

Accordingly, if a nation like the Islamic Ummah manages to transform an idea into political thought, then the daily occurrences, when linked to what emanates from its creed, will give it quick wit. So the issue in quick wit, although outwardly related to the speed of perceiving reality, i.e., finding the observation or the speed of observation, is before and after that related to transforming the idea and the Sharia ruling into political thought. Therefore, we pass quickly by what is called speed of observation, or speed of perceiving reality and what it indicates, and we focus all attention on transforming the Islamic idea and Sharia rulings into political thought. Therefore, creating quick wit in the Ummah or in individuals is, first and foremost, making the Islamic opinion a political opinion, and then quick wit is created. Quick wit must be created, and this creation must be based on Islam: Islamic opinion first, then making it a political opinion second, then creating quick wit. For example, fighting the disbelievers because they are disbelievers is self-evident; it is a Sharia ruling. And taking the jizya from them is preventing fighting, so the jizya is taken because peace is desired. So the jizya is taken because they are disbelievers wanting peace, and they are fought because they are disbelievers wanting war. So fighting them because they are disbelievers, and taking the jizya because they are disbelievers wanting peace. Here, there is an Islamic opinion, and it is intended first to transform it into a political opinion, not a jurisprudential opinion, and then after that, i.e., after it is understood when they fight and when they make peace, then quick wit is required to know their situation. So quick wit is necessary to know their situation, and this comes either from their actions or from their words. Therefore, the opinion must be an Islamic opinion first, and a political opinion after that, then achieving quick wit. So quick wit is necessary, but on the basis of Islam, i.e., on the basis of Sharia rulings. Otherwise, even if it can be quick wit, we do not accept it and do not engage with it. We only accept the Islamic opinion, and anything else we do not accept or engage with. As for the Islamic opinion, it is the basis, and quick wit is necessary for this Islamic opinion. Even the incident of seeing gasoline in the street elicited quick wit from realizing it was gasoline, but the danger and imagining the danger come from the Islamic opinion, for God has forbidden danger, and we, when we flee from danger, are only fleeing by the rule of Sharia, and not fleeing merely for safety, and so are the rest of the examples. So the Islamic opinion first and foremost, then comes quick wit.

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