Non-detailed Knowledge with Detailed Unveiling; a Critique of Three Theories in God's Knowledge of Things

In the Islamic Philosophical tradition, the two important theories about God’s knowledge of things (before and after creation) are those of Ibn Sina and Mulla Sadra. Ibn Sina, based on his philosophical system, interprets God’s knowledge through representational forms, while Mulla Sadra suggests the theory of “non-detailed knowledge and detailed unveiling” on the basis of the principle of “Simple Reality”, and other foundations of his Hikmat Muta‘āliyah, especillay the principality of existence.This article, first and foremost, wants to explain, and semantically analyze, Mulla Sadra’s theory in this regard. Then it tries to review the foundations and principles that have led him to this stance. And finally, it compares Mulla Sadra’s theory to that of Allamah Tabataba’i in order to show that there is still room for discussion on this important issue.