Far-e Izadi

“Far-e Izadi” (farr-i īzadī) is an ancient Iranian concept of divine light or grace given to kings, legitimizing their rule. This idea, which is deeply rooted in Iranian history and culture, influenced concepts of leadership legitimization, even after the Islamic conquest. 

The Persian Sufi philosopher and mystic Shihabuddin Suhrawardi, founder of Illuminationist philosophy (Ishraq), initially developed the concept of Far-e Izadi. Its connection to Ibn Arabi’s thought is more nuanced. 

Here’s how they relate:

• Suhrawardi’s Foundation: Suhrawardi’s Illuminationist philosophy emphasized light as the source of existence and knowledge. He explored hierarchies of light and how divine light descends, influencing the world and individuals.
• Adapting the Concept: Thinkers like Abul Fazl used Suhrawardi’s framework to articulate the political theory of Far-e Izadi for the Mughal emperors. They depicted the emperors as recipients of this divine light, which validated their sovereignty.
• Ibn Arabi’s Influence on Islamic Thought: Ibn Arabi (d. 1240) was a pivotal figure in Islamic intellectual history, known as “the greatest master” (al-shaykh al-akbar) among Sufis. His work explored concepts like the “oneness of being” (wahdat al-wujud), which became integrated into broader Islamic intellectual culture and influenced subsequent generations of thinkers.
• Ibn Arabi and Tahqiq: Ibn Arabi promoted an alternative method of scriptural interpretation called tahqīq. This method aimed to unveil the various aspects of divinity throughout the cosmos. This method allowed for a deeper understanding of the Divine and was embraced by many Sufis and thinkers, including some associated with the Mughal court.
• Connecting the Threads: Although Ibn Arabi’s philosophy may not directly focus on the political application of Far-e Izadi, his emphasis on divine immanence, the “oneness of being,” and the concept of tahqīq provided a ground for the continued development and adaptation of such ideas within the broader Sufi and Islamic intellectual sphere. 

In essence, Far-e Izadi was initially shaped by Suhrawardi’s Illuminationist philosophy. Ibn Arabi’s broader impact on Islamic intellectual culture and Sufi thought, particularly his emphasis on the interconnectedness of all existence and the idea of tahqīq, contributed to the environment where such concepts could be explored and reinterpreted, including their application to notions of sacred kingship and leadership legitimacy.