Shahab al-Din Suhrawardi and the Philosophy of Illumination

 Who is Shahab al-Din Suhrawardi?

Shahab al-Din Suhrawardi (1155-1191) was a Persian philosopher, mystic, and founder of the Illuminationist school of Islamic philosophy. He was born in Suhraward, near Zanjan in present-day Iran, and lived during the time of the Seljuk Empire.

Suhrawardi's philosophy was heavily influenced by the works of Ibn Sina (Avicenna), but he also incorporated elements of mysticism and gnosis into his system. His main contribution was the development of the concept of "the light of lights" (nur al-anwar), which he saw as the ultimate source of knowledge and truth.

Suhrawardi believed that this light was not accessible through reason alone but required a special mode of perception that he called "intuitive knowledge" (hikmah al-ishraq). This form of knowledge was based on direct apprehension of the divine light, which could only be achieved through spiritual purification and mystical contemplation.

Suhrawardi also wrote extensively on the nature of the soul, the afterlife, and the relationship between the individual and the divine. His works, which were written in Arabic, include "The Philosophy of Illumination," "The Book of Radiance," and "The Treatise on the Four Journeys of the Intellect."

Suhrawardi's ideas had a significant impact on later Islamic philosophy, particularly among the Sufis. His emphasis on mystical intuition and the pursuit of divine knowledge influenced the development of Islamic mysticism, and his ideas were also influential in the development of Persian poetry and literature.

What are Suhrawardi's main contributions on the school of illumination?

Suhrawardi's philosophy of illumination had a significant impact on the development of Islamic philosophy and mysticism, as well as on Persian literature, art, and architecture. His teachings were embraced by a wide range of scholars, philosophers, and mystics throughout the Islamic world.

One of Suhrawardi's most important contributions was his development of a new metaphysical framework for Islamic philosophy. He argued that reality consisted of two distinct levels: the material world and the world of "divine lights." The material world was governed by the laws of nature and could be apprehended through reason and empirical observation, while the world of divine lights was beyond the reach of reason and could only be apprehended through mystical intuition.

Suhrawardi also developed a new theory of knowledge, which he called "intuitive knowledge" (hikmah al-ishraq). This form of knowledge was based on direct apprehension of the divine light and was accessible only to those who had purified their souls through spiritual practices such as meditation and contemplation.

In addition to his philosophical and mystical teachings, Suhrawardi was also a poet and a writer of mystical tales. His writings on the nature of love and the spiritual quest had a profound influence on Persian literature, and his ideas were also reflected in the art and architecture of the Islamic world.

What are Suhrawardi's most famous books on the philosophy of illumination?

"The Philosophy of Illumination" (Hikmat al-Ishraq): This is Suhrawardi's most comprehensive and influential work on the philosophy of illumination. In it, he presents his theory of knowledge, which emphasizes the role of intuition and mystical insight in gaining knowledge of the divine. He argues that the ultimate source of all knowledge and truth is the divine light, and that this light is not accessible through reason alone but requires a special mode of perception that he calls "intuitive knowledge" (hikmah al-ishraq). Suhrawardi also discusses the relationship between the material world and the world of divine lights, and the ways in which humans can gain knowledge of the latter.

"The Book of Radiance" (Kitab al-Talwihat): This work is a continuation of the themes explored in "The Philosophy of Illumination." In it, Suhrawardi elaborates on his philosophy of illumination, discussing the nature of light and its relationship to the human soul. He also explains the concept of the "imaginal realm," which he sees as a bridge between the material world and the world of divine lights. This work is notable for its poetic language and vivid imagery, which have had a profound influence on Persian literature and mysticism.

"The Treatise on the Four Journeys of the Intellect" (Risalah al-Mashari' al-Arba'ah): This work is a mystical allegory that describes the four stages of the spiritual journey towards enlightenment. Suhrawardi uses the metaphor of a journey through a mystical landscape to explain the different stages of spiritual development. He begins with the journey of the soul towards the material world, followed by the journey towards the world of imagination, the world of intellect, and finally, the world of divine lights. This work has had a significant impact on the development of Islamic mysticism, particularly among the Sufis.

"The Niche of Lights" (Mashari' al-Asrar): This work is another allegorical text that describes the journey of the soul towards union with the divine. The title of the work is taken from a Quranic verse that refers to the "niche" (mishkat) that contains the lamp (siraj) of divine guidance. Suhrawardi uses the metaphor of a palace with seven rooms to describe the different stages of the spiritual journey. He also discusses the nature of the soul and its relationship to the divine light.

"The Book of the Unity of Intellect" (Kitab al-Tawhid al-Arba'in): This short work is a discussion of the concept of the unity of intellect, which Suhrawardi sees as the source of all knowledge and truth. He argues that the intellect is not a separate entity but is rather an aspect of the divine that is present in all human beings. Suhrawardi also discusses the relationship between the intellect and the soul, and the ways in which the intellect can be purified through spiritual practices such as meditation and contemplation.

In conclusion, Shahab al-Din Suhrawardi was a prominent philosopher and mystic who made significant contributions to the development of the philosophy of illumination in Islamic thought. His five major works on the subject, including "The Philosophy of Illumination," "The Book of Radiance," "The Treatise on the Four Journeys of the Intellect," "The Niche of Lights," and "The Book of the Unity of Intellect," continue to be studied and debated by scholars of Islamic philosophy and mysticism. Suhrawardi's emphasis on the role of intuition and mystical insight in gaining knowledge of the divine, as well as his use of poetic language and vivid imagery, have had a lasting impact on Persian literature and mysticism. His legacy continues to inspire and influence scholars and seekers of spiritual truth to this day.