The notion of necessary being in Fakhr al‐Dīn al‐Rāzī's philosophical theology

Abstract

The notion of Necessary Being (wājib al‐wujūd) is so significant in Islamic intellectual tradition that it plays a major role in every single system of the tradition. We can see this very clearly in both Islamic philosophy and theology, where Necessary Being is placed in relation to cosmogony and cosmology. This article discusses the function of Necessary Being in the philosophical theology of Fakhr al‐Dīn al‐Rāzī in which Necessary Being is regarded as the axis mundo of the system. An examination of his works, especially Al‐mua al and Al‐tafsīr al‐kabīr, demonstrates that Necessary Being serves as the source of cosmogony, the principle of cosmology, the source of valuation and moral judgment, and the object of rituals.