Ishraqiyya

Ishraqiyya, also known as Illuminationism or Oriental Theosophy, is a philosophical and mystical school founded by the Persian philosopher Shahab al-Din Yahya ibn Habash al-Suhrawardi in the 12th century. It draws heavily on Neoplatonic thought, Zoroastrianism, and Islamic mysticism. At its core, Ishraqiyya posits a hierarchical cosmos illuminated by a divine light, emanating from an ultimate divine source often referred to as the "Light of Lights." This hierarchy consists of intelligences, angels, and the soul, all interconnected by this pervasive luminescence.

Suhrawardi's philosophy emphasizes the importance of direct spiritual experience and intuition, known as "dhawq," as a means to attain knowledge of the divine. He believed that true wisdom comes not solely from rational deduction but also from inner vision and illumination. This pursuit of knowledge is often described as a journey of the soul towards its original source, shedding the darkness of ignorance and material concerns.

The Ishraqiyya system is characterized by its symbolic language, often employing metaphors of light and darkness to explain metaphysical concepts. Light represents knowledge, existence, and the divine, while darkness signifies ignorance, non-existence, and the material world. The ultimate goal for the Ishraqiyyin is to achieve union with the divine light through intellectual and spiritual purification. The school had a significant influence on subsequent Islamic philosophical and mystical traditions, particularly in Persia and the Ottoman Empire.