The Infinite Existence of God in the View of Master Mesbah and Its Evaluation Based on the Ultimate Perspective of Mulla Sadra

Master Mesbah considers the existence of God as "unlimited intensity." Emphasizing the gradation and longitudinal plurality of existence, he holds a hierarchical gradation to the extent that each level possesses perfections superior to and without deficiencies of the lower ranks. Therefore, the divine existence, being at the highest level of this hierarchical system, has infinite perfections and intensity of existence. He perceives, for the contingent beings, an existence beyond the cause. Consequently, the expansive essence of God's existence, as the cause of all causes, is limited by its contingent effects. He attributes his perspective to Mulla Sadra. However, this perspective has shortcomings: 1. Contingent beings do not have an existence beyond the cause, and nothing other than the will of the causal existence defines them. They cannot limit the expansive existence of the first cause, and God is the "unlimited intensity." 2. This perspective does not align with the explicit statements of Sadra al-Muta'allihin and the mystics. Mulla Sadra emphasizes that discussing the gradation and longitudinal plurality of existence is a preliminary framework that prepares the mind for the ultimate perspective. This research employs an analytical-critical method to elucidate Master Mesbah's perspective and evaluates it based on the ultimate viewpoint of Mulla Sadra.