A Study of Mulla Sadra's Philosophical-Mystical Principles in the Interpretation of ‘the Light Verse’ and its Comparison with Shiite Interpretations

‘The holy verse of light’ is one of the Quranic verses that various thinkers have attempted to provide interpretation and allegorical interpretation for. Sadr al-Muta'allehin, as a mystic and philosopher, has also interpreted this verse from the perspective of mysticism and philosophy. While paying attention to the apparent meaning of the verse and relying on such principles as the originality of being and scepticizeation of being, he tries to provide an existential analysis to explain the descension of divine grace and mercy in the world.  In addition, he depicts the ascension of the perfect man to true perfection and compares the allegories in the verse with this analysis and associates religious truths with philosophical truths. Accordingly, using the descriptive-analytical and citation methods, the present article first provides an overview of Mulla Sadra's interpretive approach and his philosophical and mystical principles in the afore-mentioned verse, and then compares his view with the views of other Shiite interpreters. The findings of this study indicate that he has tried to interpret this holy verse, as far as possible, in harmony with his philosophical views and with a philosophical-mystical approach to provide an interpretation in accordance with the appearance of the verse, which often overlaps with the interpretations of other commentators and is in harmony with them.