The Great Thinkers: Al-Kindi, Al-Farabi, Ibn Sina and Mulla Sadra

Four pillars hold up Islamic philosophy: The story of Falsafa stands on four great thinkers. Each one took the wisdom of those before him and carried it further, like runners passing a torch from hand to hand.

Al-Kindi, the first philosopher: Al-Kindi (9th century, d. 873 CE) was the first Muslim philosopher. He translated and engaged with Greek philosophy for the Muslim world and proved that philosophy and Islam are compatible. He wrote on the intellect, the soul, and divine unity, and was called Faylasuf al-Arab — the Philosopher of the Arabs.

Al-Farabi, the Second Teacher: Al-Farabi (872–950 CE) came next. Aristotle was called the First Teacher; Al-Farabi was called the Second Teacher (Al-Mu'allim al-Thani). He systematised Islamic political philosophy, developed the theory of the Active Intellect, and trained the generation of Ibn Sina.

Ibn Sina, the Master of Masters: Ibn Sina (980–1037 CE) was the greatest philosopher-scientist of the medieval world, called Shaykh al-Ra'is — the Chief Master. His great books Al-Shifa' (The Healing) and Al-Isharat wa al-Tanbihat (Pointers and Reminders) were the supreme texts of Islamic Falsafa before Mulla Sadra. His distinction between the Necessary Being (Wajib al-Wujud) and the contingent being (Mumkin al-Wujud) defined Islamic philosophy.

Mulla Sadra, the greatest synthesizer: Mulla Sadra — Sadr al-Din Shirazi (c. 1572–1640) — was the greatest synthesizer. Born in Shiraz, he studied under Mir Damad in Isfahan, then withdrew to the village of Kahak for fifteen years of spiritual retreat, and died in Basra in 1640 on his seventh pilgrimage to Mecca. His masterpiece, Al-Asfar al-Arba'a (The Four Journeys), in nine volumes, united Ibn Sina, Suhrawardi, Ibn Arabi, and Shia theology into Al-Hikma al-Muta'aliya. His revolution, Asalat al-Wujud (the primacy of existence), changed Islamic thought forever.

Example

Think of building a tall tower. Al-Kindi dug the foundations. Al-Farabi raised the first floors. Ibn Sina built the tower so high that everyone could see it for miles. Mulla Sadra did not just add another floor — he rebuilt the tower on a new design, so that all the old parts fitted together better than before.

Key Terms

• Al-Kindi (الکندی) — the first Muslim philosopher (d. 873 CE), called Faylasuf al-Arab
• Al-Farabi (الفارابی) — the Second Teacher (872–950 CE); systematised Islamic philosophy
• Ibn Sina (ابن سینا) — Shaykh al-Ra'is, the Chief Master (980–1037 CE); author of Al-Shifa' and Al-Isharat
• Mulla Sadra (ملا صدرا) — Sadr al-Din Shirazi (c. 1572–1640); author of Al-Asfar al-Arba'a; founder of Al-Hikma al-Muta'aliya

Quran or Hadith

None used in this topic.

Fresh diagram to be drawn: A timeline with four portraits in order — Al-Kindi, Al-Farabi, Ibn Sina, Mulla Sadra — each with his dates and one line about him, and a torch passing from one to the next.