NAQD ABI AL-BARAKAT AL-BAGHDADI LI NAZARIYYAH AL-SUROH LADA AL-MASYA'IYYAH AL-ISLAMIYYAH WA ATHARUHU FI AL-MADRASAH AL-ISYRAQIYYAH

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to show that Abu al-Barakat al-Baghdadi’s criticism on the theory of form by the Islamic Peripatetic reveals an attempt from his part to introduce a new theory concerning the nature of differences between species; the theory which was later adopted by the Illuminist philosopher Shihab al-Din al-Suhrawardi. The paper presents Abu al-Barakat’s criticism on the concept of essential attributes as the major components of strict definition and relates it to his criticism on the theory of form as a substantial quality which inheres in matter. The paper also introduces Abu al-Barakat’s theory on the nature of the differences between species in which he believes that species diff er from each other not in a substantial mode, but rather in an accidental way. Al-Suhrawardi’s adoption of Abu al-Barakat’s position on these issues is then presented.