Philosophical Explanation of Justice in in the Theological Thought of Mulla Sadra

The concept of “divine justice,” is one of the important topics of theology which has been the focus of attention of thinkers and philosophers of the East and the West. The extensive research of justice-researchers indicates the serious concern which possessors of illumination and thought have for this issue: ranging from Plato and Aristotle in Ancient Greece, to Alpharabius, Avicenna, and Muslim philosophers, until now, each one of them have been somehow involved in the issue of justice and have devoted a part of their philosophical works to this concept. Meanwhile, the philosophical outlook of Mulla Sadra toward the issue of divine justice has been less attended to by researchers. Owing to this research gap and necessity, the following writing, while analyzing the essence and significance of justice in his thought, has inferred and expounded on three domains of divine justice (genetical, canonical, and penal justice; these have been implicitly and sporadically referred to in different parts of his works). This inference and explanation has been made in a problem-oriented style and by reference to authentic sources as well as by exploring the philosophical and interpretive [tafsīrī] works of Mulla Sadra.