A Critical Examination of the Possibility of Attributing Intensity and Infinity to God, with a Focus on the Views of Khwāja Ṭūsī and Later Islamic Philosophers

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Faculty of philosophy and islamic theology, Ilam university

10.22061/orj.2025.12215.898

Abstract

In Islamic philosophical discourse, the use of certain quantitative and qualitative attributes in reference to God is customary. Among these expressions are terms such as "intensity of existence" and "infinity." A commonly cited phrase among philosophers is that God is "beyond what is infinitely intense, in duration, and in number."



Careful consideration of the meanings and usage of these terms raises the question: Is the use of such expressions in reference to God and immaterial beings acceptable? And if such usage is valid and acceptable, how should it be properly interpreted?



An analysis of the meanings and uses of these expressions suggests that terms like "intensity of existence," "intensity of generosity," and "infinity," when used as attributes of God, are not philosophically sound. Even if we wish to attribute these qualities to God's actions, they can only be meaningfully applied in the context of mediated, material creation. However, when it comes to the Divine Essence itself, attributes like "intensity of existence" are not meaningful.



Likewise, in the case of attributing the term "infinity" to God, such usage is not philosophically valid when understood in a quantitative or qualitative sense. It would be considered a philosophical error—unless we interpret "infinity" not in a quantitative or qualitative sense, but in a negative sense, i.e., as being beyond quantity and quality and as having no limits. In that case, such an attribution to the Absolute Being is valid and meaningful.

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References

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Journal of Ontological Researches
Volume 14, Issue 28
March 2026
Pages 201-234

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