Path of Attaining Divine Knowledge Based on Suhrawardi’s Philosophy
Born in 1154, Shahab al-Din Yahya ibn Habash Suhrawardi was one of the most prominent Iranian philosophers. He is also known as Shaikh al-ʿIshraq or "Master of Illumination".
What follows is a summary of the remarks of Ayatollah Seyed Mostafa Mohaqeq Damad, a senior Iranian philosopher and Islamic scholar, in a seminar called “Why Suhrawardi?” which was held in Tehran in March 2022 to discuss different aspects of Surawardi’s works.
If you take a look at the history of philosophy and study all works of Avicenna (980-1037), you will not see more than a few references to the verses of the Quran. However, Quranic verses can be found on almost every page of books written by Mulla Sadra (1571-1640). He has put the Quran as one of the bases of his philosophy and his philosophical interpretation of the Holy Quran can be considered a follower of the works of Suhrawardi.
Suhrawardi started his scientific activity with the Holy Quran. At the outset of his prominent book Hikmat al-'Ishraq, Suhrawardi writes a very important and thoughtful sentence. He refers to verses 23 and 24 of Surah At-Takwir which reads: “Surely he beheld Him on the clear horizon. And he is not avid of the Unseen.” The subject of the first sentence is Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) but the question is what is the object of this sentence? Most interpreters believe that the Prophet (PBUH) has seen Gabriel. However, Suhrawardi has another understanding of this verse which leads him to the establishment of Illuminationist Philosophy. He says that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) saw “active intellect” on the horizon. Some philosophers believe that there is an intermediary entity in this world that is aware of its nature, as well as its own cause and effect. All the understandings and powers in this world happen with its help. It is called “Aql” or “intellect” as it is non-material and it is called “active intellect” because it is an active intermediary between the source of the universe and the world.
The next verse says the active intellect is not miserly so as to dedicate sciences just to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and that all people can connect to this active intellect and acquire knowledge.
The difference between Illuminationist Philosophy (Hikmat al-'Ishraq) and other schools of philosophy is that Suhrawardi believed humans can raise their hearts to connect to divine knowledge. When the heart of the man is connected to the active intellect, he can attain sciences. Suhrawardi says that active intellect does not bar others from this knowledge. What Suhrawardi says here is correct but the common people misunderstood his words and thought Suhrawardi says other people can also become prophets. This led to accusing the philosopher of infidelity.
4035250
