A Study of the Role of Sharia in Religious Spirituality from Mulla Sadra's Perspective

Spirituality can not be considered as an excuse for leaving religious law. Being faithful to shariah is essential for religiousness. On the other hand, religion itself is characterised with a kind of spirituality. Therefore, it would be essential for those of religious spirituality to follow Sharia. Although spirituality is a gradually realizing state, regardless of shariah, it would be meaningless. Today, some have viewed spirituality as something absolutely separated from religion. While though some components and requirements of spirituality may be attainable without religion, attaing middle and high levels of spirituality is not possible without shariah. Mulla Sadra is counted among of those philosophers rejecting the sparation and argued for religion-based spirituality; he opposes those viewing spirituality as something lacking any relation to religion. In this way, he has supported religious duties as an essential ground for spiritual grouth and happiness and emphasized on religious worships. In this study, using descriptive and analytical method, the author has examined Sadra's viewpoint about the role of Shariah in religious spirituality and criticised the opposite view.