The World of Image in Islamic Philosophy: Ibn Sina, Suhrawardi, Shahrazuri and Beyond (Edinburgh Studies in Islamic Apocalypticism and Eschatology)

This book traces the notion of a world of image from its conception until today. This notion is one of the most original innovations in medieval Islamic philosophy, and is unique compared to other parts of the history of philosophy. The notion originated out of discussions on the fate of human beings after death; would this be spiritual only or physical as well? The world of image suggests that there exists a world of non-physical (imagined) bodies, beyond our earthly existence. This world may be entered after death and glimpses of it may already be witnessed during sleep or meditation. Ibn Sīnā (d. 1037) was the first to suggest something along these lines, arguing that people could simply imagine their afterlife without the need for it to be actually physical. Suhrawardī (d. 1191) included this suggestion in his innovative thinking on epistemology, known as ‘knowledge by presence’, without fully ontologizing it. Shahrazūrī (d. > 1286), finally, turned Suhrawardī’s thinking into the full-blown notion of a world of image. Notably through Taftāzānī (d. 1390) and Shaykh Bahāʾī (d. 1621), the idea gained wider popularity and continued to be discussed, especially in Shīʿī circles, up to this day. This book gives an insight into late medieval and early modern Islamic philosophy, especially the role of commentary writing. It sets the record straight for the provenance and development of the world of image and reconsiders the importance of Suhrawardī for the development of philosophy in the Islamic world. Traces the medieval Islamic: notion of a world of 'image from its conception until today, One of the most controversial issues that divided Islamic philosophers and theologians during the Middle Ages was whether human beings would have a spiritual or bodily existence after death. The idea of a world of image was conceived as a solution, suggesting that there exists a world of non-physical (imagined) bodies, beyond our earthly existence. This world may be reached in sleep, in meditation or after death. From the embryonic conception by Ibn Sma, to the radical rethinking by Suhrawardi and Shahrazuri into a sophisticated system, L. W. C. van Lit unravels the history of this idea. Using a distant reading approach for measuring the transmission, he further shows how the idea remained relevant for Muslim thinkers through the centuries, up until today. Key Features, Sets the record straight for the provenance and development of the idea of a world of image, Reconsiders the extent of Suhrawardi's innovation and his importance for the development of philosophy in the Islamic world, Shows the surprising trajectory of the development and reception of his idea, Gives an insight into the nature of commentary writing in premodern Islamic discourse Book jacket Traces the medieval Islamic notion of a world of image from its conception until today One of the most controversial issues that divided Islamic philosophers and theologians during the Middle Ages was whether human beings would have a spiritual or bodily existence after death. The idea of a world of image was conceived as a solution, suggesting that there exists a world of non-physical (imagined) bodies, beyond our earthly existence. This world may be reached in sleep, in meditation or after death. From the embryonic conception by Ibn Sina, to the radical rethinking by Suhrawardi and Shahrazuri into a sophisticated system, L. W. C. van Lit unravels the history of this idea. Using a distant reading approach for measuring the transmission, he further shows how the idea remained relevant for Muslim thinkers through the centuries, up until today. Key Features Sets the record straight for the provenance and development of the idea of a world of image Reconsiders the extent of Suhrawardi's innovation and his importance for the development of philosophy in the Islamic world Shows the surprising trajectory of the development and reception of his idea Gives an insight to the nature of commentary writing in premodern Islamic discourse One Of The Most Controversial Issues That Divided Islamic Philosophers And Theologians For Many Centuries Was Whether Human Beings Would Have A Spiritual Or Bodily Existence After Death. Suhrawardi, A Pivotal Figure In The History Of Islamic Philosophy, Made A Crucial Contribution To This Debate, With His Idea Of A World Of Image. This Is A World Beyond Our Earthly Existence, To Be Reached In Sleep, Meditation, Or After Death. This Unlikely History Is Unravelled By Van Lit Using An Innovative Approach, Looking At A Curious Idea Concerning Eschatology Proposed By Ibn Sina. He Explores The Ways In Which This Idea - Refuted By Most Medieval Thinkers - Was Used By Suhrawardi And Shahrazuri To Construct A Sophisticated System Of Thought Which Has Progressed Through The Centuries To Take Its Place Within Mainstream Theological Texts. The World Of Image Remains A Relevant Notion For Muslim Thinkers Today. Using an innovative approach, Van Lit looks at the curious idea concerning eschatology proposed by Ibn Sina.