The Essence of Ugliness in Suhrawardī’s Philosophical Discourse

In this exploration, we delve into the profound concept of beauty and its antithesis—ugliness—through the lens of the philosopher Suhrawardī. Renowned for his emphasis on Illuminationism and the boundless realm of imagination, Suhrawardī’s discourse extends beyond the luminous to encompass the very essence of ugliness. Our purpose is to unravel the enigma of what Shaikh-i-Ishraq truly meant by ugliness and how he articulated it within the framework of his philosophical tenets. Through meticulous analysis, we discern various facets of ugliness: the palpable, the perceptible, and the ethereal, all interwoven within Suhrawardī’s literary tapestry. Ultimately, we witness how ugliness, akin to darkness, stands in stark contrast to the radiant light—a symbol of beauty and virtue—pervading Suhrawardī’s profound philosophy.