Al-Sabzawari's Defence of Al-Suhrawardi's Theory about How of Vision

Against the two most prevalent ‘extramissive’ and ‘intromissive’ theories of vision, shaykh al-ishraq, Al-Suhrawardi developed a third theory according to which, while visioning, the human soul gains a presential illuminative knowledge of the objects of vision themselves, rather than perceives them merely through perceptual forms. Sadr al-Muta’allihin saw Al-Suhrawardi's theory as faulty and criticized it. His criticisms were presented in terms of four objections. Al-Sabzawari who tried to justify Al-Suhrawardi's theory defended him against these criticisms. The present article deals with reporting, reviewing, and investigating Al-Sabzawari's responses to Sadr al-Muta’allihin's objections. Overall, these responses clarified some aspects of the debate, and were insightful in opening up new ways, but no one is sufficient to respond to those objections, but each one requires to be completed.