Abstract

Ibn Sina and suhrawardi each in their different works have discussed the status of human souls after death in respect of happiness and wickedness. On the whole, approach of Ibn Sina to this problem in a formal way can be presented in two models. In some of his works he has discussed the problem without any systematic classificatory presentation, and in some of his other works he has presented a systematic classification. In his “Al-Mabda wal Ma,ad” he has presented a threefold classification and in the treatise “Fi al Saada” a fourfold classification and in “al-Isharat wal-tanbihat” a fivefold classification of the status of souls. Likewise Suhrawardi in some of his works without presenting a systematic classification has discussed this problem and in some of his other works he has presented a double classification, in some a threefold classification and in some a fourfold division and in some others a fivefold classification and finally a six fold classification. The differences and similarities of Ibn Sina and Suhrawardi, s point of view on the above mentioned classification is studied in the present article. By an analysis of the viewpoint of these two philosophers we find that in some respects such as principles and foundations presenting a theory with a single formal model and paying attention to rational happiness there is similarity between the two philosophers. On the contrary in view of following respects there are distinctions between these two philosophers. 1-Ibn-Sina’s strong emphasis on rational happiness; 2- recognition of sensual happiness on the part of Ibn-Sina; 3- setting forth the problem of soul belonging to heavenly bodies in an explicit way on the part of Shaykh Ishraq; and 4- methodological distinction of these two philosophers in solving the problem.