Ma'rifatullah in Islamic thought: The case of Ikhwān al-Safā

In the history of thought, the question of the universe's arbitrariness has been a central concern. Explanations for this arbitrariness are often divided between material/natural causes and supernatural causes. In Islamic thought, knowledge about this supernatural cause, typically characterized as God by religions, is termed ma'rifatullah. Various methods rational, intuitive, and those combining intuition with reason have been employed to achieve ma'rifatullah in Islamic theology, Sufism, and philosophy. The Ikhwān al-Safā, a secret society that emerged in Basra in the tenth century, systematized the concept of ma'rifatullah with an eclectic approach. Their treatises cover a wide range of subjects including philosophy, religion, ethics, and politics. According to the Ikhwān al-Safā, knowledge of the Almighty Creator can be attained through the study of sciences such as mathematics, geometry, and astronomy. After mastering these sciences, ma'rifatullah is bestowed upon individuals by the grace of the Almighty Creator. The intellectual method employed by the Ikhwān al-Safā to attain ma'rifatullah is complemented by an intuitive approach. This dual methodology is significant both for its roots in earlier traditions of thought and its influence on subsequent intellectual developments. The eclectic stance of the Ikhwān al-Safā provides insights into how ma'rifatullah was conceptualized in previous Islamic thought traditions. This study will first examine how ma'rifatullah was attained through theology, Sufism, and philosophy in Islamic intellectual traditions. Following this, we will explore the specific methods by which the Ikhwān al-Safā pursued ma'rifatullah.