The Philosopher in the Eyes of the Sufi: The Place of Ibn Sina in the Thought of Sheikh Ala' al-Dawlah al-Sammani

This paper examines the views of Sheikh Ala al-Dawla Semnani, a jurist and mystic from the 7th and 8th centuries, in his criticism of Avicenna and the philosophers. Semnani adopts a critical and analytical approach and examines the philosophical and mystical foundations. The research employs library...

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Main Authors: Ghasem Raufi, Ghodratollah Khayatian, Azim Hamzeian
Format: Article
Language:fas
Published: Alzahra University 2025-04-01
Series:ادبیات عرفانی
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Online Access:https://jml.alzahra.ac.ir/article_8353_ea5c2bf049406146b23615a619599197.pdf
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author Ghasem Raufi
Ghodratollah Khayatian
Azim Hamzeian
author_facet Ghasem Raufi
Ghodratollah Khayatian
Azim Hamzeian
author_sort Ghasem Raufi
collection DOAJ
description This paper examines the views of Sheikh Ala al-Dawla Semnani, a jurist and mystic from the 7th and 8th centuries, in his criticism of Avicenna and the philosophers. Semnani adopts a critical and analytical approach and examines the philosophical and mystical foundations. The research employs library-based methods and descriptive-analytical methodology to present Semnani's perspective as a Sufi scholar on Avicenna as a philosopher. In his critique of various theological, philosophical and mystical theories, Semnani raises serious objections to Avicenna's views and categorizes him among the philosophers and followers of Greek wisdom. Semnani claims that the philosophers' statements are often erroneous and baseless, primarily relying on reason and contradict Sunni orthodoxy. He engages with Avicenna's ideas on four central themes: God's knowledge of the particulars, the eternity of the world, the denial of bodily resurrection, and the soul's pleasure and suffering in the afterlife, responding to them according to his theological-mystical approach. The examination reveals fundamental differences between Semnani's and Avicenna's theological and philosophical approaches. As a mystic-theologian, Semnani emphasizes religious doctrines, affirming God's comprehensive knowledge and the temporal creation of the world, while Avicenna adopts a philosophical and liberal approach with his universal interpretation of God's knowledge and emphasis on the complexities of creation and spiritual resurrection.
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series ادبیات عرفانی
spelling doaj-art-5b9ef07525784aaa907aec9e832e060e2025-08-20T03:50:39ZfasAlzahra Universityادبیات عرفانی2008-93842538-19972025-04-01174012715610.22051/jml.2025.49421.26568353The Philosopher in the Eyes of the Sufi: The Place of Ibn Sina in the Thought of Sheikh Ala' al-Dawlah al-SammaniGhasem Raufi0Ghodratollah Khayatian1Azim Hamzeian2PhD Student in Islamic Mysticism and Sufism, Semnan University, Iran.Professor, Department of Religions and Mysticism, Faculty of Humanities, Semnan University, Semnan, IranAssociate Professor, Department of Theology, Faculty of Humanities, Semnan University, Semnan, IranThis paper examines the views of Sheikh Ala al-Dawla Semnani, a jurist and mystic from the 7th and 8th centuries, in his criticism of Avicenna and the philosophers. Semnani adopts a critical and analytical approach and examines the philosophical and mystical foundations. The research employs library-based methods and descriptive-analytical methodology to present Semnani's perspective as a Sufi scholar on Avicenna as a philosopher. In his critique of various theological, philosophical and mystical theories, Semnani raises serious objections to Avicenna's views and categorizes him among the philosophers and followers of Greek wisdom. Semnani claims that the philosophers' statements are often erroneous and baseless, primarily relying on reason and contradict Sunni orthodoxy. He engages with Avicenna's ideas on four central themes: God's knowledge of the particulars, the eternity of the world, the denial of bodily resurrection, and the soul's pleasure and suffering in the afterlife, responding to them according to his theological-mystical approach. The examination reveals fundamental differences between Semnani's and Avicenna's theological and philosophical approaches. As a mystic-theologian, Semnani emphasizes religious doctrines, affirming God's comprehensive knowledge and the temporal creation of the world, while Avicenna adopts a philosophical and liberal approach with his universal interpretation of God's knowledge and emphasis on the complexities of creation and spiritual resurrection.https://jml.alzahra.ac.ir/article_8353_ea5c2bf049406146b23615a619599197.pdfala al-dawla semnaniavicenna (ibn sina)mysticism ('irfan)philosophyresurrection (ma'ad)soulgod's knowledgeeternity of the world
spellingShingle Ghasem Raufi
Ghodratollah Khayatian
Azim Hamzeian
The Philosopher in the Eyes of the Sufi: The Place of Ibn Sina in the Thought of Sheikh Ala' al-Dawlah al-Sammani
ادبیات عرفانی
ala al-dawla semnani
avicenna (ibn sina)
mysticism ('irfan)
philosophy
resurrection (ma'ad)
soul
god's knowledge
eternity of the world
title The Philosopher in the Eyes of the Sufi: The Place of Ibn Sina in the Thought of Sheikh Ala' al-Dawlah al-Sammani
title_full The Philosopher in the Eyes of the Sufi: The Place of Ibn Sina in the Thought of Sheikh Ala' al-Dawlah al-Sammani
title_fullStr The Philosopher in the Eyes of the Sufi: The Place of Ibn Sina in the Thought of Sheikh Ala' al-Dawlah al-Sammani
title_full_unstemmed The Philosopher in the Eyes of the Sufi: The Place of Ibn Sina in the Thought of Sheikh Ala' al-Dawlah al-Sammani
title_short The Philosopher in the Eyes of the Sufi: The Place of Ibn Sina in the Thought of Sheikh Ala' al-Dawlah al-Sammani
title_sort philosopher in the eyes of the sufi the place of ibn sina in the thought of sheikh ala al dawlah al sammani
topic ala al-dawla semnani
avicenna (ibn sina)
mysticism ('irfan)
philosophy
resurrection (ma'ad)
soul
god's knowledge
eternity of the world
url https://jml.alzahra.ac.ir/article_8353_ea5c2bf049406146b23615a619599197.pdf
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