Nature of Creation from the Perspective of Mulla Sadra

Having a clear image of the nature of creation not only gives a true comprehension of the quality of the relation of man with his Creator, but paves the way for being a better servant before God. Considering the comprehensiveness of Mulla Sadra’s philosophy, the important question is what picture he gives of the reality of creation. Taking the works and thoughts of Mulla Sadra into consideration, we find out that he depicts creation in the framework of the theory of manifestation in the light of the theory of particular unity of existence. Based on this picture, the absolute existence, enjoying all existential perfections, creates the creatures through a process of retrogression and manifestation. What occurs in the process of manifestation is the appearance of the latent attributes and perfections of the absolute existence the absolute that is present within the determinations and manifestations. However the absolute essence has adopted certain determination and has descended from the position of absoluteness and absence of determination. Thus the reality of creation, from the perspective of Mulla Sadra, is nothing but limitation and determination of the unique absolute essence of God. Creatures are considered as the determinations of the very absolute existence. Of course, God — glory be to Him — is not the very essence of any creature, and no creature is the very essence of God.