Mutual Hindering Proof Recounted by Professor Motahhari and Allameh Tabatabai

Seyyed Mohammad Hakkak*
Mutual Hindering proof is one of the proofs for God's unity. This proof is mentioned in Verse 22 of Surah Anbia'. Philosophers and theologians have extracted and set this expression based on the content of this verse. They believe this proof concerns the unity of the Creator and the necessity of being and also believe, in addition to presenting a theological and philosophical proof, they have in fact interpreted the verse as well. For example Professor Motahhari is among this group while Allameh Tabatabai believes this proof concerns the unity of Divinity because this has been the conflict between Quran and the idolaters not the unity of the Creator which was accepted by the idolaters. He explains the proof in his Al-Mizan and Nahayat-ol-Hekmah such that it ends up with the unity of Divinity, i.e. the owner and manager of the world. In fact he does not mention the verse in Nahayat-ol-Hekmah and does not mention the discussions of the theologians and philosophers in Al-Mizan such that he even avoids using the word mutual hindering. Recounting the discussions of professor Motahhari and Allameh Tabatabai, I will compare and evaluate them from the point of view of philosophy and interpretation.