Philosophy

Philosophy

Mīrdāmād’s Innovations on the Problem of Divine Decree (al-Qaḍāʾ) and Predestination (al-Qadar)

Document Type : Scientific-research

Author
PhD in Philosophy from the University of Tehran
10.22059/jop.2026.403586.1006953
Abstract
This study aims to explain the innovations of Mīrdāmād concerning the issue of Divine Will (al-Qaḍāʾ) and Divine Decree (al-Qadar). By examining the historical development of this concept among Islamic philosophers before him, this research, which utilizes critical and comparative analysis, reveals a clear duality in the definitions provided by philosophers in the Islamic world. Some considered al-Qaḍāʾ part of God's essential knowledge, while others viewed it as the collective, summary existence of entities within the First Intellect. Mīrdāmād introduced a novel definition, conceptualizing al-Qaḍāʾ and al-Qadar as two aspects of God's 'Agency' (Fāʿilīyyah) and the 'Emanation of things from Divine Providence'. In this framework, al-Qaḍāʾ refers to the comprehensive and collective aspect of this agency, while al-Qadar expresses its detailed and gradual aspect. Furthermore, by distinguishing between 'scientific' (ʿilmī) and 'entitative' (ʿaynī) al-Qaḍāʾ and al-Qadar, and by proposing a 'gradation of levels' (Tashkīk al-Marātib), he established a hierarchical system. In this system, each level of existence is considered al-Qadar relative to the levels above it and al-Qaḍāʾ relative to the levels below it. This coherent framework not only reconciled previous perspectives but also opened new avenues in Islamic philosophy by engaging with other issues like 'Badāʾ' (alteration in divine decree), highlighting Mīrdāmād's role as an influential philosopher in the evolution of this discourse.
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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 04 October 2026

  • Receive Date 04 October 2025
  • Revise Date 24 June 2026
  • Accept Date 27 June 2026