History of Islamic Philosophy

History of Islamic Philosophy

An Analysis and Proof of the Substantial Motion of the Immaterial Soul as the Foundation for its Evolution in Barzakh Based on al-Asfar al-Arba'ah

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Department of Philosophy, University of Religions and Sects, Qom, Iran
2 Full Professor and Faculty Member, Department of Philosophy, Baqir al-Olum University, Qom
3 Assistant Professor and Faculty Member, Department of Philosophy, University of Religions and Denominations.
Abstract
The concept of substantial movement is one of the fundamental innovations of transcendental wisdom, based on which material existence is inherently in flux and movement. Mulla Sadra, by utilizing the three principles of the originality of existence, the formation of existence, and the intensity of existence, succeeded in generalizing movement from the level of abstraction to the inner essence of things, and thus, explained evolution not as a contingent matter but as an internal and intrinsic one. Based on this basis, the human soul, which initially has a level of natural existence, achieves barzakh and then rational abstraction by intensifying its path to perfection. The aim of this article is to explain the philosophical relationship between substantial movement and the evolution of the soul; a relationship that plays a fundamental role in justifying the abstract soul and its survival in the worlds after the body. This research is of the type of scientific-analytical-documentary research and was conducted using library resources. The researcher first extracted concepts related to substantial movement from the original texts, then, using an analytical approach, explained its relationship with the perfection and development of the soul.



The overall conclusion is that substantial movement is not a natural-numerical proposition, but an existential-sceptical proposition that serves as the basis for explaining the spiritual, moral, and barbaric development of man in Mulla Sadra’s entire ontology.



Keywords: Mulla Sadra, substantial movement, soul, individuality, intensity of existence, development of the soul.
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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 01 June 2026

  • Receive Date 27 November 2025
  • Revise Date 01 June 2026
  • Accept Date 01 June 2026