A Comparative Study of the Conceptual Commonalities of the Theory of the 'Perfect Human' in the thought of Suhrawardi and Ibn Arabi

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant professor, department of Islamic Philosophy,, Faculty of theology and Islamic teachings, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

2 M.A. Student in Islamic Philosophy and Wisdom (Ḥikmat) at Shahid Motahari University, Women's Campus, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Objective: The Apparent Commonalities Between Suhrawardi and Ibn Arabi, including their influence on Mulla Sadra's philosophical system, their efforts to bridge philosophy and mysticism, and their historical contemporaneity, prompt researchers to explore and compare the ideas of these two thinkers. One of the shared and significant themes in both their thoughts is the concept of a human who serves as an intermediary between the Divine and creation—referred to by Suhrawardi as the "Theosophical Sage" (ḥakīm muta’allih) and by Ibn Arabi as the "Perfect Human" (al-insān al-kāmil).

Methods: This article employs a descriptive-analytical method to compare the elements of the theory of the Perfect Human in the thought of these two great Islamic philosophers and mystics, highlighting the conceptual commonalities in their perspectives.
Results and Conclusions: The results of this comparative study reveal that, despite fundamental differences in their philosophical and mystical foundations, the two thinkers share key principles regarding the Perfect Human. Suhrawardi, by introducing the concept of the "Theosophical Sage," and Ibn Arabi, through his theorization of the "Perfect Human," each elaborated on this existential station in their own distinct manner. Among their shared viewpoints are :The belief in humanity's special status as God's vicegerent on Earth, The conviction that the Perfect Human serves as a mediator of divine grace for other beings, Their perspective on the Perfect Human as a comprehensive mirror of the cosmos. However, Ibn Arabi's theory is distinguished by its emphasis on the all-encompassing nature of the Perfect Human and his identification of the supreme manifestation of this ideal.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Comparative Study of Religions and Mysticism

Articles in Press, Corrected Proof
Available Online from 25 November 2025

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History

  • Receive Date: 09 April 2025
  • Revise Date: 29 June 2025
  • Accept Date: 26 July 2025

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