Islamic Art Studies

Islamic Art Studies

God in Theologians and Philosophers: Reflections in the Architecture of Mosques (The Blue Mosque of Tabriz)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Hamadad Hamad Amin Mohammad 1
Aziz Javanpour 2
Mohammad Ali Rabipour 3
1 PhD student, Department of Islamic Philosophy and Theology, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran.
2 Associate Professor, Department of Islamic Philosophy and Theology, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Quran and Hadith Sciences, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran.
10.22034/ias.2023.382537.2197
Abstract
The distinction between philosophy and theology lies in their scope: philosophy encompasses the existence and life of both this world and the hereafter, while theology focuses on religious beliefs. Philosophy seeks truth, whether religious or secular, whereas theology explores divinity, prophecy, and esoteric knowledge, thus pursuing religious truths. This study examines the evidence presented by theologians and philosophers, where theologians agree on the existence of God. Some rely on scriptural and traditional evidence from the Quran and Sunnah as their primary basis, while others emphasize rational arguments. Additionally, others invoke other reasons, such as the argument of innate nature, as there is no disagreement among rational individuals about the existence of a creator and manager of the universe, since humans are created to recognize their creator. Another argument used by theologians is the dialectical argument of submission, employed to refute their opponents after seemingly accepting all their arguments. Philosophers use the argument of creation (or origination), which is a common ground for both theologians and philosophers in proving the existence of a creator, though each approaches it differently. Both philosophers and theologians share the belief in the existence of God but employ distinct methods and tools to prove it. The unity and existence of God are clearly reflected in Islamic architecture.
Research Objectives:

To examine the evidence of God's existence among theologians and philosophers.
To investigate the shared beliefs between philosophers and theologians in proving God's existence and its reflection in the architecture of the Blue Mosque of Tabriz.

Research Questions:

What are the reasons for examining the evidence of God's existence among theologians and philosophers?
How is God's existence reflected in the architecture of the Blue Mosque of Tabriz?
Keywords
Theologians
Philosophers
Existence of God
Blue Mosque of Tabriz

Subjects

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