🌌 Understanding AL-ʿUQŪLU ʾL-ʿASHARAH: The Ten Intelligences in Islamic Philosophy
Definition
AL-ʿUQŪLU ʾL-ʿASHARAH (العقول العشرة): Literally translated as “The Ten Intelligences,” these are a series of celestial beings or angels believed by certain Islamic philosophers to have been created by God in a complex hierarchical order. Each intelligence is responsible for creating a particular aspect of the cosmos, culminating in the physical world.
Etymology
The term AL-ʿUQŪLU ʾL-ʿASHARAH is derived from Arabic:
- ʿUQŪL (عقول) - Intelligences
- ASHARAH (عشرة) - Ten
Background and Creation Order
According to Islamic philosophical traditions, notably those influenced by Neoplatonism and Islamic cosmology, the creation process took place in a well-ordered sequence:
- God created the first intelligence.
- The first intelligence created the first heaven and the second intelligence.
- The second intelligence created the second heaven and the third intelligence.
- This successive creation continued until the ninth heaven and the tenth intelligence.
- The tenth intelligence, by the decree of God, created the entire material world.
This structured act was meant to reflect the divine wisdom and orderliness ingrained within the Islamic understanding of the cosmos.
Cultural Differences and Similarities
- Islamic Tradition: These intelligences are part of Islamic cosmology with a philosophical interpretation of divine creation, aligning with esoteric teachings.
- Christianity and Judaism: There are similar hierarchical frameworks in both traditions, though they are more articulated through angels and archangels rather than intelligences.
- Other Philosophies: In Neoplatonic structures, these intelligences resemble the emanations of the One or the Absolute.
Synonyms
- Celestial Intelligences
- Divine Beings
- Heavenly Minds
Antonyms
- Material Entities
- Mortal Beings
Related Terms and Their Definitions
- Angels (ملائكة): Heavenly beings created by God often acting as messengers or executors of divine will in Islamic theology.
- Neoplatonism: A philosophical system that posits an ordered universe emanating from an ultimate source.
- Metaphysics: A branch of philosophy concerned with explaining the fundamental nature of reality.
Exciting Facts
- Influence on Scholars: AL-ʿUQŪLU ʾL-ʿASHARAH has deeply influenced scholars such as Al-Farabi, Avicenna, and other prominent Islamic thinkers.
- Heavens in Islam: The nine heavens each controlled by one of the Intelligences mirror both physical and spiritual realms within Islamic cosmology.
Quotations from Notable Writers
- Al-Farabi: “The First Cause created the Intelligence. There can be no creation more majestic than that initiated through a brilliant mind.”
- Avicenna: “In every level of creation, the intelligence prevails, bringing order and beauty to the universe.”
References and Suggested Literature
- “The Metaphysics of Creation in the Thought of Avicenna” by Ibn Yusuf Al-Kindi.
- “Islamic Philosophy: An Introduction” by William Chittick.
- “Introduction to Islamic Cosmological Doctrines” by Seyyed Hossein Nasr.
- G͟hiyās̤u ʾl-Lug͟hāt: Islamic lexicon and texts offering detailed interpretations and descriptions of metaphysical concepts.
Farewell Thought
As we delve into the celestial tapestry woven by the divine, let these intelligences inspire depth and reflection within us, harmonizing our internal cosmos with the grand design.
سلام عليك ورحمة الله وبركاته (Peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessings)
Warm Regards, Ibn Tariq Al-Muhandis October 3, 2023
