Suhrawardī the Philosopher and the Reasons Behind His Death

Year 2020, Volume: 4 Issue: 1, 5 - 14, 30.05.2020

İlyas Altuner

Abstract

Although the cause of Suhrawardī’s death may have been his esoteric views, we can see that this was a political medium. Because the decision of Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn al-Ayyūbī to execute Suhrawardī was political, especially because of the Crusades moving towards al-Quds at that time, where was taken by the Crusaders. There is a definite alliance upon that Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn al-Ayyūbī ordered to kill Suhrawardī. Because the other issues Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn al-Ayyūbī was dealing with prevented him from coming to Aleppo and examining this issue in detail. At the same time, Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn al-Ayyūbī could not have time to discuss whether the decision to kill Suhrawardī for political reasons was a hasty one. although the cause of Suhrawardī’s death may have been his esoteric views, we can see that this was a political medium. As a result, the decision of Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn al-Ayyūbī to execute Suhrawardī has based on political reasons. Some matters were mentioned in Suhrawardī’s death fatwā, especially his suggestion of disbelief to the people and his disorderly conduct of al-Malik al-Ẓāhir were cited as the cause of death.

Keywords

Suhrawardī, Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn al-Ayyūbī, esotericism, death fatwā, execution

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