Ma`rifat Falsafi

One of the important issues that has been the focus of many thinkers in Islamic philosophy is the multiplicity in existence. Based on the different foundations of philosophical schools, various explanations have been presented regarding how such a multiplicity is possible. Several formulations have also been offered based on the views of Sadr al-Muta’allihin concerning this important matter. However, the influence of traversing motion as per the theoretical foundations of the Transcendent Wisdom in explaining and formulating the how-possibility of unity and multiplicity, and its emanation from God, has been neglected in these formulations. Therefore, in this research, we intend -through fundamental inquiry and by relying on the analysis of the essential principles and the innovative views of the coherent Sadrian system- to determine what formulation of the nature and how-possibility of existence, and its relationship with the Creator, emerges when special attention is paid to the influence of traversing motion within Sadra’s philosophical system. In this exposition, the reality of existence is presented as a single and absolutely simple Being (Basīt al-haqiqah) which, despite its unity, encompasses all things. It is created ‘moment by moment’ by the Will of God, in such a way that at each ‘moment,’ it possesses an existence different from the preceding and succeeding ones. Consequently, not only is it in need of a Creator for its existence and origination, but it also depends on the Creator for its ‘moment by moment’ persistence.