Analysis of the Concept of ḥašr in Mullā Ṣadrā 's Philosophy and Its Relation to the Islamic Concept of ḥašr

Abstract

One can derive three main meanings from Mulla Sadra's use of the word ḥašr. The first usage is in the general meaning of hereafter that contains all the stages of the judgment day. Using the word in this meaning is also popular among theologians. The second meaning, is using the word ḥašr as one specific stage in the Day of Judgment. Based on this meaning, all human beings would be gathered at the same place at the same time, waiting for the judgment. This ḥašr happens after the resurrection and before judgment and the word maḥšar might have been derived from it. The third meaning is the return of all beings to their final destinations and extremes. Based on what he introduced as ḥašr, beings of all phases and levels move towards the higher levels in a universal process and this process will continue until all beings gather at the highest level of existence. This highest level of being that can contain all beings, is God himself. So we can claim that ḥašr means returning to God.

Keywords

• mulla sadra's
• ḥašr
• arc of ascent
• returning to god