Greetings, respected Professor Saʿi. What is your view of the theory of divine emanation and its continuation, along with conclusions such as the necessary existence of the material world? This theory is endorsed by the majority of philosophers and accepted in theoretical mysticism, where it is analysed on the basis of the personal unity of existence. Is it accepted by the people of God, peace be upon them, and by the verses of the Noble Qur’an—and does it accord with reality?
َّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحيمِ
Is the Theory of Divine Emanation Accepted in Islamic Philosophy?
The essence and first answer at a glance (60-word summary)
Philosophical theories can be regarded as Islamic only when they are confirmed by the explicit text of the Two Weighty Things—the Qur’an and the Prophet’s Household. The material world was created by God’s will, and by His will it will also cease to exist. The continuation of divine effusion likewise depends solely on His will, and He has complete mastery over His acts. There is no consensus in support of the theory of the personal unity of existence.
Answer by Master Ali Saei (Abdullah Meshkat)
Teacher and researcher in the intellectual tradition of wisdom and the Ahl al-Bayt | Soroush Bamdadān Cultural CenterEquating terms outside the Thaqalayn with its key concepts is a manifest injustice to the supreme stronghold of God.
Using the title “Islamic philosophy” and attributing certain philosophical theories to Islam is tantamount to slandering Islam.
A theory may be regarded as Islamic only when it is affirmed by the explicit texts of the Thaqalayn and accords with the Qur’an and the Ahl al-Bayt.
The material world was brought into being solely by the “Be” of the Almighty; by another utterance of His will, its fabric will be folded up. The continuance of divine grace depends entirely on His will: He lets it flow for as long as He wishes and withdraws it whenever He wishes. For example, the grace bestowed by God’s mercy will endure as long as His will to show compassion and mercy remains in effect; should He withdraw that will, or make it conditional or deferred, the outcome will be just as He wills.
Just as His mercy encompasses all things, so too does His punishment encompass the unbelievers! (العنكبوت : 54 يَسْتَعْجِلُونَكَ بِالْعَذابِ وَ إِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمُحيطَةٌ بِالْكافِرينَ )
Divine grace is simply one of God’s acts, nothing more. He has complete mastery over His acts, and disseminates or withdraws grace throughout existence however He wills.
الأعراف : 156 وَ اكْتُبْ لَنا في هذِهِ الدُّنْيا حَسَنَةً وَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ إِنَّا هُدْنا إِلَيْكَ قالَ عَذابي أُصيبُ بِهِ مَنْ أَشاءُ وَ رَحْمَتي وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ فَسَأَكْتُبُها لِلَّذينَ يَتَّقُونَ وَ يُؤْتُونَ الزَّكاةَ وَ الَّذينَ هُمْ بِآياتِنا يُؤْمِنُونَ
And ordain for us what is good in this world and in the Hereafter; we have turned to You in repentance.” He said, “I inflict My punishment on whomever I will, but My mercy encompasses all things. I shall ordain it for those who are mindful of God, pay the alms, and believe in Our signs.”
إبراهيم : 7 وَ إِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِنْ شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزيدَنَّكُمْ وَ لَئِنْ كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذابي لَشَديدٌ
And remember when your Lord proclaimed, “If you are grateful, I will surely increase you; but if you are ungrateful, My punishment is severe.”
There is no consensus whatsoever on the theory of the unity of the individual; it has many critics among the people of God.