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Mulla Sadra
also called Sadr Ad-Din Ash- Shirazi (b.c. 1571, Shiraz, Iran - d. 1640,
Basra, Iraq). Philosopher, who led the Iranian cultural renaissance in
the 17th century. The foremost representative of the illuminationist, or
Ishragi, school of philosopher-mystics, he is commonly regarded by
Iranians as the greatest philosopher their country has produced.
A scion of a notable Shirazi family, Mulla Sadra completed his education
at Esfahan, then the leading cultural and intellectual center of Iran,
After his studies with scholars there, he produced several works, the
most famous of which was his Asfar (Journeys) Asfar contains the bulk of
his philosophy which was influenced by a personal mysticism bordering on
the ascetic that he experienced during a 15-year retreal at Kahak, a
village near Qom, Iran.
Expounding his theory of nature, Mulla Sadra argued that the entire
universe - except God and his knowledge - was originated both eternally
as well as temporally, Nature, he asserted is the substance of all
things and is the cause for all movement. Thus, nature is permanent and
furnishes the continuing link between the eternal and the originated.
Toward the end of his life, Mulla Sadra returned to Shiraz to teach. His
teachings however, were considered heretical by the orthodox Shiite
theologians, who persecuted him, though his powerful family connections
permitted him to continue to write. He died on a pilgrimage to Arabia. |