Ma’rifah or Ma’rifat المعرفة has many meanings. In Arabic language Ma’rifah means knowledge. Knowledge has degrees and it covers different dimensions. Knowledge about yourself is called self knowledge معرفة النفس. Knowledge about the universe is called Ma’rifat Al Kwan معرفة الكون. Knowledge about life is Ma’rifat Al Hayat معرفة للحياة. Knowledge about The Creator is called Ma’rifatul Khaaliq معرفة الخالق.

Sincere servants of Allah (SWT) try to know themselves more to know their Creator more because knowing yourself is the way to know your Creatir as we read in the narration : Who knows himself, knows his Creator. من عرف نفسه فقد عرف ربه.

Some people mix between Ma’rifah and Irfaan. Because both words are from knowledge but the Irfaan is a term which did not cone in Quran but was created and used by some people who are concerned with self purification and upliftment through trying to know your inside and purify yourself.

We follow the Prophet (SAWA) and Ahlul Bayt (AS) and we have best ways and steps of self purification in Quran and the teachings of Ahlul Bayt (AS).

Wassalam.