The World of Image in Islamic Philosophy

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.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.