Islamic Philosophy from Its Origin to the Present: Philosophy in the ...

116 Part 3: Islamic Philosophy in History
Mu±ammad Shahraz¨r¥ a generation later, followed by the betterknown
commentary of Qu†b al-D¥n Sh¥råz¥ (d. 710/ 1311), revived the
teachings of ishråq. Henceforth, the school exercised a deep influence
not only in Persia but also in Ottoman Turkey and the Indian subcontinent,
and it continues as a living school of thought to this day.
RAPPROCHEMENT BETWEEN VARIOUS SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT
The period from the thirteen to the sixteenth century marks the coming
together of various schools of thought. The main arena of philosophical
activity during this era was Persia, especially Shiraz; Iraq and
eastern Anatolia, which were closely related culturally to Persia, were
also important centers. This period is witness to the revival of Ibn
S¥nå’s philosophy by Na∑¥r al-D¥n al-apple¨s¥ (d. 672/1273), who also wrote
the most famous work on philosophical ethics in Persian, Akhlåq-i
nå„ir¥ (The Na∑¥rean Ethics). Other notable figures of this rapprochement,
such as Qu†b al-D¥n Sh¥råz¥, sought to integrate mashshå˘¥ and ishråq¥
doctrines. These centuries also mark the spread of the doctrinal school of
Sufism of Ibn ‘Arab¥, mostly through his foremost student, |adr al-D¥n
Qunyaw¥, and the latter’s students and successors, such as Mu˘ayyid al-
D¥n al-Jand¥, ‘Abd al-Razzåq al-Kåshån¥, and Då˘¨d al-Qay∑ar¥. Likewise
this period coincides with the spread of the school of ishråq and philosophical
kalåm associated with such figures as Sayyid Shar¥f Jurjån¥. 10
During this era several philosophers appeared who sought to
synthesize these various schools. One such figure is Ibn Turkah I∑fahån¥
(d. 830/1427), who was at once an ishråq¥, a mashshå˘¥, and an ‘årif of
the school of Ibn ‘Arab¥. There was also a closer integration of philosophical
activity and Twelver Shi‘ite theology, as seen in the works of
Na∑¥r al-D¥n al-apple¨s¥, who, besides being a philosopher, was also the
author of the major work of Shi‘ite kalåm. The background was thus
set for the synthesis associated with the Safavid period. 11
THE SCHOOL OF ISFAHAN
AND PHILOSOPHY IN INDIA AND OTTOMAN TURKEY
In the tenth/sixteenth century, with the establishment of the Safavid
dynasty in Persia, there began a new phase in Islamic philosophy
associated with the School of Isfahan. Its founder, M¥r Dåmåd (d.
1041/1631), taught in that city, although students came to him from
all parts of Persia and many other lands. His most famous student,