Metaphysics in the light of the Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad

 Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of reality, being, and existence. It asks questions such as: What is real? What is the origin of the universe? What is the relationship between mind and matter? What is the meaning of life?

The Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) provide guidance and answers to these metaphysical questions from an Islamic perspective. They reveal the truth about Allah (the Creator and Sustainer of everything), His attributes, His names, His actions, His will, His decree, and His justice. They also explain the purpose of human creation, the role of prophets and messengers, the concept of revelation and inspiration, the nature of angels and jinn, the reality of life after death, and the destiny of mankind.

Some of the main themes and principles of metaphysics in Islam are:

- Tawheed: The oneness and uniqueness of Allah in His essence, His attributes, His lordship, His worship, and His names. Tawheed is the foundation of Islamic faith and the basis of all other beliefs and practices. It implies that nothing is worthy of worship except Allah, nothing is comparable to Him, nothing can influence Him or interfere with His will, and nothing can benefit or harm anyone without His permission.

- Fitrah: The natural disposition or inclination that Allah has created in every human being to recognize and worship Him. Fitrah is also a source of knowledge and guidance that enables humans to distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil, truth and falsehood. Fitrah is corrupted by external influences such as ignorance, desires, doubts, and sins.

- Risalah: The message or mission that Allah has entrusted to His chosen prophets and messengers to convey His revelation to mankind. Risalah is a proof of Allah's mercy and wisdom, as He does not leave humans without guidance or accountability. Risalah also establishes a link between Allah and His creation, as He communicates with them through His words and signs.

- Akhirah: The hereafter or the life after death. Akhirah is a reality that every human will face sooner or later. It consists of two stages: Barzakh (the intermediate state between death and resurrection) and Qiyamah (the Day of Judgment). Akhirah is a manifestation of Allah's justice and mercy, as He rewards or punishes people according to their deeds in this world.

- Qadar: The divine decree or predestination that Allah has determined for everything that happens in the universe. Qadar is a part of Allah's knowledge and wisdom, as He knows everything that has happened, is happening, and will happen. Qadar also implies human free will and responsibility, as Allah has given humans the ability to choose between good and evil, and He holds them accountable for their choices.

These are some of the main aspects of metaphysics in Islam that can help us understand our existence and our relationship with Allah. They can also inspire us to seek more knowledge and wisdom from the Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), as they are the ultimate sources of guidance for humanity.

Islamic scholars worked on Metaphysics

Islamic scholars have contributed to the development of metaphysics throughout history, especially during the golden age of Islamic civilization from the 8th to 13th centuries. They drew inspiration from various sources, such as the Quran, the Sunnah, the Greek philosophy, and the mystical tradition of Sufism.

Some of the most influential Islamic metaphysicians include:

- Al-Kindi (801-873), who is considered the first Muslim philosopher and the founder of Islamic Neoplatonism. He argued that God is the First Cause of all things and that everything else emanates from Him in a hierarchical order.

- Al-Farabi (872-950), who developed a comprehensive system of metaphysics based on Aristotelian logic and Neoplatonic cosmology. He distinguished between the necessary being (God), the possible beings (the intellects and souls), and the contingent beings (the physical world).

- Ibn Sina (980-1037), who is known as Avicenna in the West and is regarded as one of the greatest philosophers of all time. He synthesized and expanded on the ideas of Al-Kindi and Al-Farabi, and introduced new concepts such as the distinction between essence and existence, and the theory of emanation.

- Al-Ghazali (1058-1111), who is considered one of the most influential theologians and mystics in Islam. He criticized the rationalist approach of Ibn Sina and other philosophers, and argued that metaphysical knowledge can only be attained through revelation and spiritual experience.

- Ibn Rushd (1126-1198), who is known as Averroes in the West and is regarded as one of the most prominent defenders of Aristotelian philosophy in Islam. He challenged Al-Ghazali's critique and advocated for the harmony between reason and faith.

- Ibn Arabi (1165-1240), who is considered one of the greatest Sufi masters and metaphysicians in Islam. He developed a complex system of metaphysics based on the doctrine of wahdat al-wujud (the unity of being), which states that everything is a manifestation of God's names and attributes.

These are just some examples of how Islamic scholars worked on metaphysics and enriched the intellectual heritage of humanity. Their works have influenced not only other Muslim thinkers, but also Jewish, Christian, and secular philosophers in various fields and disciplines.

Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of reality, being and knowledge. It is one of the most important and influential fields of thought in the history of human civilization. Metaphysics has been studied and developed by many thinkers from different cultures and traditions, including those from the Islamic world.

Islamic metaphysics 

Islamic metaphysics refers to the study of metaphysics within Islamic philosophy, which emerged from the encounter between the teachings of Islam and the legacy of Greek philosophy. Islamic metaphysics covers a wide range of topics and issues, such as the existence and attributes of God, the creation and order of the universe, the nature and destiny of human beings, the relationship between reason and revelation, and the principles of ethics and politics.

One of the main sources of Islamic metaphysics is the Qur'an, which is considered by Muslims to be the word of God revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Qur'an contains many verses that address metaphysical questions and invite people to reflect on the signs of God in themselves and in the world. The Qur'an also affirms the unity, transcendence, omnipotence, omniscience, mercy and justice of God, as well as his guidance and sovereignty over all creation.

Another source of Islamic metaphysics is the tradition of rational inquiry and argumentation that was inherited from the Greeks and developed by Muslim philosophers. Among the most prominent figures in this tradition are al-Kindi, al-Farabi, Ibn Sina (Avicenna), Ibn Rushd (Averroes), al-Ghazali, Ibn Arabi and Mulla Sadra. These philosophers engaged with various aspects of metaphysics, such as ontology, cosmology, theology, psychology, epistemology and ethics. They also debated with each other and with other schools of thought, such as kalam (Islamic theology), falsafa (Islamic philosophy), sufism (Islamic mysticism) and sharia (Islamic law).