Sadr Al-Shari'ah (d. 747 AH / 1346 AD) and His Views on Divinity (ilahiyyat) Subjects of Existence as a Model

Abstract

This paper deals with Imam Sadr al-Shari'ah's views on the subject of existence, from the topics of divinity. The topic of existence is one of the most important issues in the science of al-kalam. Because many issues in the science of al-kalam are based on it which is why philosophers, theologians, and logicians have been discussing it for centuries. Sadr al-Shari’ah can be said to have developed original ideas on this topic, and his arguments and conclusions were unique. The topic will be analyzed under four subheadings. First: The definition of existence in language and terminology, and the Imam's opinion on this subject; and the second: His views on mental existence; and the third: His division of existence into old and new; and the fourth: His evidence for the Demonstration of Necessary Being. Before entering into the subject, Sadr al-Sharī's life, the scientific education, his place and importance in different sciences will be summarized and after that his views will be conveyed in light of what he wrote in his book Tadeel al-Ulum. The importance of this research lies in the fact that it deals with Sadr al-Shari'ah's views on existence in detail. This research followed a descriptive approach when presenting the evidence for each issue, as well as an analytical approach when citing them. Sadr al-shari'ah, defined existence in synonymous terms, rejected philosophers’ views on mental existence, proved that mental existence does not have an independent existence, refuted philosophers’ views on antiquity (qidam), reconsidered the evidences of the Necessary Being, and claimed to have developed four new proofs for it.