Examining the Reciprocal Relationship Between Humanity and God in the Mystical Thought of Ṣadr al-Dīn Shīrāzī

Abstract

One of the fundamental issues in theology, or metaphysics in the strict sense, is the relationship between God and humanity: how God, among the conceivable modes of interaction, relates to the world. Since this discussion constitutes one of the most significant presuppositions in many issues within the philosophy of religion, it requires a proper analysis to rationally evaluate the truth or falsehood of propositions based on it. This study aims to examine the reciprocal relationship between God and the world in the thought of Mullā Ṣadrā. The research adopts a descriptive-analytical method. The findings reveal that, from Mullā Ṣadrā’s perspective, God is eternally the Creator and Sustainer of the world, with divine grace being continuous and eternal. God, in essence and in the perfections of His essence, is immutable. If there were no being in the world whose individuation and unity are its very essence, serving as the principle of the universal system, then necessarily, the unity of the universe would have to be generic. However, accepting generic unity entails rational incongruities. Therefore, the unity of the universe must be individual, and its principle must also be individual. According to Ṣadrā, the human species possesses a unique characteristic that distinguishes it from all other phenomena: the potential for transformation in states and modes of existence, as well as the capacity to attain various actualities and attributes that no other phenomenon possesses. This unique characteristic prevents humanity from having a singular, fixed identity. Mullā Ṣadrā considers knowledge to be the foundation of all human attributes and examines the nature of human knowledge in relation to existence. He regards the existence of the human soul as the basis of humanity's unique relationship with itself and the external world. From Mullā Ṣadrā’s viewpoint, God acts through volition, not by necessity, and is free from the errors ascribed by atheists. God is the sustainer of all existence, bestowing goodness from eternity to eternity, raising the banner of power by manifesting possibilities, creating beings, originating creations, and governing and managing affairs.