Muslim Philosophical Perspectives on Universe

This paper explores Muslim philosophical perspectives on the universe as a divinely orchestrated system, synthesizing rational, theological, and mystical interpretations from key thinkers. Ibn Sina depicts a geocentric cosmos of nested spheres eternal supra-lunar etherial realms and corruptible sub-lunar elements driven by Aristotelian physics yet unified under a single divine unmoved mover enacting celestial glorification through God's command. In contrast, Al-Ghazali champions creationism, temporal finitude, and occasionalism, refuting eternalism via his Tahafut al-Falasifa and the Kalam cosmological argument, which logically posits an absolute, singular Creator sustaining all events through omnipotent will, viewing the universe as signs (ayat) for spiritual insight. Complementary views include Al-Farabi's Neoplatonic emanative hierarchy, Ibn Rushd's rational harmony of natural laws and faith, Suhrawardi's illuminationist light metaphysics, Mulla Sadra's transubstantial motion in a dynamic flux, Ibn Arabi's Wahdat al-Wujud unity of being, and Allama Iqbal's purposeful, evolving cosmos infused with Khudi (self), rejecting illusionary negation for material reality as a stage for human ego development toward divine intimacy. Collectively, these perspectives affirm the universe's purposeful teleology, hierarchical unity (Tawhid), and role in ethical-spiritual ascent, reconciling philosophy with Islamic revelation.