← Explore on the interactive map

Suhrawardi

Type Figure Region Persia Time 1154–1191 Also known as Master of Illumination

Shihab al-Din Yahya al-Suhrawardi (1154–1191), founder of Persian Illuminationist philosophy, studied Ibn Sina's philosophy, wrote Hikmat al-Ishraq i…

Timeline

  1. 1154–1175Suhraward · IranAl-Suhrawardi was born in Suhraward near Zanjan, studied first under Majd al-Din Gilani in Maragha, and then pursued further studies in Isfahan. During this period he mastered the Peripatetic logic and metaphysics of Ibn Sina, which he later critiqued and transformed through a Platonic theory of illumination.
  2. c. 1176–1183Anatolia · AnatoliaAfter completing his studies he spent several years in Anatolia associating with Seljuk princes, while developing mystical experience and the doctrine of 'presence-based cognition', laying the groundwork for the metaphysics of light in his later Hikmat al-Ishraq.
  3. 1183–1186Aleppo · SyriaSaladin took Aleppo in 1183 and installed his son al-Zahir as governor; al-Suhrawardi entered the city the same year, quickly befriended the governor, and completed his masterwork Hikmat al-Ishraq (1186). The book explains existence and cognition through hierarchies of light, founding the Illuminationist school.
  4. 1187–1191Aleppo · SyriaHis philosopher-king ideal and mystical doctrines drew attacks from orthodox ulama. Under pressure from the Third Crusade, Saladin ordered his execution, carried out in Aleppo around 1191. Later generations honored him as the 'Master of Illumination', also called 'the Murdered Master'.

Sources