The Philosophical Worship of the Ikhwān Al-Ṣafā

The subject of this study is the idea of philosophical worship introduced at the end of the fiftieth epistle of the Rasāʾil Ikhwān al-Ṣafāʾ. The philosophical rites described by the Ikhwān have been recognized by various scholars to be inspired by the ‘Sabian’ religion of Ḥarrān. This study aims to situate the Ikhwānian idea of philosophical worship in the context of their general thought: firstly their concept of religion and secondly their philosophical system. The idea of philosophical worship is founded on the distinction between exoteric and esoteric religion, the latter becoming essentially identified with the practice of philosophy. As for the Ikhwān’s philosophical system, the need for a philosophical form of worship is situated within the Neoplatonic context of the soul’s ascent, for which the philosophical ritual provides an additional means, complementing Islamic ritual and ethical self-governance. Some of the rites, such as the animal offerings and prayer, seem to have a function resembling Neoplatonic theurgy in that it is the particular features of the offerings or prayers that invoke the souls of specific planetary spheres, which the Ikhwān interpret as angels

Context (archaeology · Epistemology · Islam · Philosophical methodology · Prayer · Situated · Soul · Subject (documents · Theology · Worship · Archaeology and Historical Studies · Computer Science · Islamic Studies and History · Medieval and Classical Philosophy · History · Philosophy · Religious Studies

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