The Elixir of the Gnostics: A parallel English-Arabic text (Brigham Young University - Islamic Translation Series)
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Sadr al-Din Muhammad Shirazi (1572-1640), more commonly called Mulla Sadra, was one of the grand scholars of later-period Islamic philosophy and has grown to become one of the best-known Muslim philosophers. Iksir al-'arifin, or Elixir of the Gnostics, is unique among Sadra's writings in that it reworks and amplifies an earlier Persian work, the Jawidan-nama (Book of the Everlasting) by Afdal al-Din Kashani, or Baba Afdal.
The underlying theme of Sadra's amplification is emblematic of Muslim philosophy: the importance of self-knowledge in an individual's journey of "Origin and Return," the soul's origins with God and its eventual return to Him. Everything, Sadra says, is on such a path, gradually disengaging from the material world and returning to a transcendent essence—all leading to a final fruition in which everything in the universe returns to God and finds permanent happiness. Philosophy, Sadra argues, is the most direct means to self-knowledge—and thus the best tool for navigating this journey.
In very good condition, pages are clean, unmarked, and unbent; the binding is sound. Dust jacket may show side rubbing
and shelf ware, else intact.
About the Author: Mulla Ṣadrā (Ṣadr al-Dīn al-Shīrāzī, 1571–1640)
Mulla Ṣadrā, also known as Ṣadr al-Dīn Muḥammad ibn Ibrāhīm al-Shīrāzī, was a towering figure in Islamic philosophy and the founder of the school of Transcendent Theosophy (al-Ḥikmah al-Mutaʿāliyah). Born in Shiraz, Persia, during the Safavid era, he revolutionized Islamic thought by synthesizing reason, revelation, and mystical intuition into a unified and dynamic worldview.
His philosophy centers on the primacy of existence (aṣālat al-wujūd)—the idea that existence itself is the fundamental reality—and on the gradation of being (tashkīk al-wujūd), which views all levels of creation as manifestations of one continuous reality. Through his doctrine of substantial motion (al-ḥarakah al-jawhariyyah), Mulla Ṣadrā redefined the nature of the cosmos as being in constant evolution toward spiritual perfection.
A scholar deeply rooted in both philosophy and spirituality, Mulla Ṣadrā drew inspiration from Ibn Sīnā (Avicenna), Suhrawardī, and Ibn ʿArabī, blending their insights into a distinctive metaphysical vision that bridges logic, mysticism, and theology. His monumental work, al-Asfār al-Arba‘ah al-‘Aqliyyah (“The Four Journeys of the Intellect”), stands as one of the greatest achievements in Islamic intellectual history.
Today, Mulla Ṣadrā’s influence endures through the ongoing study of his writings in Shi‘i seminaries and universities across the world. His thought continues to inspire philosophers, theologians, and mystics, and has been instrumental in shaping the modern revival of Islamic philosophy.
About the Translator: William C. Chittick
William C. Chittick is one of the foremost contemporary scholars of Islamic philosophy, Sufism, and Persian literature. A professor emeritus at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, he is widely recognized for his lucid translations and insightful interpretations of classical Islamic texts. Chittick has played a major role in introducing Western audiences to the profound spiritual and intellectual legacy of figures such as Ibn al-‘Arabī, Rūmī, and Mullā Ṣadrā.
His extensive body of work explores the depth and unity of Islamic thought, focusing on metaphysics, cosmology, and the path of spiritual realization. Among his best-known books are The Sufi Path of Knowledge, The Self-Disclosure of God, Imaginal Worlds, and The Heart of Islamic Philosophy. Through his writings, Chittick bridges scholarly rigor with spiritual insight, helping readers appreciate the timeless wisdom and inner dimensions of Islam.
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