Exploring the Convergence of Knowledge, Intuition, and Reality

A Comparative Study of Iqbal and Mulla Sadrā’s Philosophical Thought

Abstract

This article explores the striking similarities between the philosophical views of Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Mulla Sadrā, particularly in their understanding of the relationship between knowledge, religious experience, and reality. Iqbal, in his Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam, emphasizes that both thought and intuition spring from the same source, complementing one another in grasping reality. Similarly, Sadrā, a prominent Muslim philosopher, believes that intuitive experience, or mushahada ‘aqliya, is a higher form of intellectual truth, transcending pure rationalization. Both thinkers agree that rational methods alone cannot fully capture the truth and that intuition is necessary for a complete vision of reality.

The article also discusses the dynamic nature of reality in Iqbal and Sadrā’s thought, highlighting their shared belief in change as a fundamental principle of the universe. Iqbal’s view of dynamic reality aligns with Sadrā’s theory of al-haraka al-jawhariyya (substantial motion), where existence is seen as continuously evolving towards higher forms. Both thinkers stress that intuition and reason are not opposed but are complementary, each serving to enhance the understanding of reality.

Furthermore, the article compares Iqbal’s and Sadrā’s approaches to Sufism and mysticism. While both are inclined towards intuitive experience, they do not advocate for a purely mystical approach without philosophical grounding. The article concludes by reflecting on the convergence of ideas between Iqbal and Sadrā, particularly their shared emphasis on the cognitive aspect of intuitive experience and the evolution of existence, despite differences in their engagement with Sufism.