Theology of Salvation
The book “theology of salvation” ( Elahiyat al- Naejat) is a philosophical book written by the outstanding scholar “ Avicenna”, intending the generalities of Divine knowledge . This refers to philosophy.
According to the author, each one of the sciences (mathematics, natural sciences , chemistry, etc.) considers a specific subject but they do never discuss about “ absolute existent” what is always considered in philosophy.
The auhtor
Avicenna, one of the greatest Muslim scientists and philosophers, known in the East as Abu Ali Sina and also Ibn Sina (980 – 1037).
He was born near Bukhara, probably with Persian as his native language.
At the age of eighteen he had mastered all the then known sciences. After the death of his father, an official of the Samanid adminstration, and the overthrow of the Samanids by the Ilekhans in 1005, he first wandered through Persia and then, from 1021 until shortly before his death, he lived at Isfahan as court physician of the Buyid rulers Shams al-Dawla and Sama al-Dawla, who by then had come under Kakuid suzerainty.
He is known primarily as a philosopher and physician, Avicenna contributed also to all the sciences that were accessible in his day: natural history, physics, chemistry, astronomy, mathematics and music. He studied mathematics under “Abu Abdullah Natli”, then continued metaphysics, physics and medicine in the presence of “Abu Soheyl Masihi”.
He wrote on economics, politics, moral and religious questions, Quranic exegesis and poetry.
In 1654, 131 authentic and 110 doubtful works were listed in his bibliography.
The following are his most famous works:
1- Book of Healing ‘of the soul’ (a vast philosophical and scientific encyclopeida)
2- The Canon of Medicine (one of the most famous books in the history of medicine)
3- The Tale of Hayy Ibn Yaqzan (a philosophical allegory)
Avicenna’s influence on medieval European philosophers such as Michael Scot, Albertus Magnus, Rager Bacon, Duns Scotus and Thomas Aquinas is undeniable.
He died as the result of colic, in Hamedan – Iran where a monument was erected to celebrate the millennium of his birth.
The book structure:
Including 21 chapters
The 1st article:
1. on the essential and inessential accidents
2. On different sort of existent and single
3. The proof of substance and the nature of bodily from
4. The bodily from is always with the substance
5. The substance is not separated form, etc.
The 2nd article:
Including 40 chapters
1. The conception of “The necessity” and “The possibility”
2. The Necessary Being
3. “Necessary” is vital for becoming “existent”
4. The perfect uniqueness of “the Necessary Being” (God)
5. The extensive aspect of “the Necessary” (Vajeb) = God, etc.
Sources :
Theology of Salvation