Existence and Knowledge

Existence and Knowledge

An Examination of Mullā Ṣadrā's Citation of Two Quranic Verses (76:1& 19:9) Regarding the "Bodily Origination of the Human Soul" Based on an "Existential Entity" Interpretation

Document Type : Research Article

Authors
Narjes Bahaodini 1
Seyyed Mohammad Entezam 2
1 PhD student in Philosophy, Faculty of Philosophy, Mofid University, Qom, Iran.
2 Associate Professor, Faculty of Philosophy, Mofid University, Qom, Iran.
10.22096/ek.2026.2025495.1548
Abstract
Ṣadr al-Muta'allihīn (Mullā Ṣadrā) adheres to the doctrine of "bodily origination of the human soul" (ḥudūth jismānī al-nafs). In support of this claim, alongside rational and philosophical arguments, he cites certain Quranic verses, including: 1. Sūrat al-Insān (76:1): "Has there [not] come upon man a period of time when he was not a thing remembered"? 2. Sūrat Maryam (19:9): "And I created you before, when you were nothing." Ṣadrā interprets the "negated thing-ness" in these verses as referring to an "existential entity" (shay'iyya wujūdiyya) rather than a merely conceptual one. However, his interpretation and reliance on these verses have faced several criticisms. Some of these objections can be effectively addressed with solid responses, while others require more profound eflection and thorough examination. This paper investigates and analyzes these criticisms.
Keywords
Bodily origination of the soul
existential entity
entitative entity
Quranic verses
Ṣadr al-Muta'
allihīn (Mullā Ṣadrā)

Subjects

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