Introduction
Islamic philosophy has a rich tradition of metaphysical inquiry, including debates about essence and existence. Philosophers such as Avicenna (Ibn Sina) and Averroes (Ibn Rushd) explored these concepts deeply, integrating insights from Greek philosophy with Islamic theology.
Essence (Mahiyyah)
Essence refers to what something is — its defining nature or identity. For example, the essence of a tree includes its biological structure, functions, and characteristics that make it a tree and not something else.
Existence (Wujud)
Existence is the state of being real or present. A thing can be thought of in essence without it existing. For instance, a unicorn has an imagined essence but no real existence.
Essence and Existence in Avicenna’s Thought
Avicenna made a key distinction: essence and existence are separate in all created beings. Only in God are essence and existence identical — He must exist by nature. In everything else, existence is added to essence by God’s will.
This distinction allowed philosophers to argue for God’s necessary existence and the contingent nature of the created world.
Implications in Islamic Thought
- Contingency: Created beings are not necessary; they depend on a cause — ultimately, God.
- Proof of God: The difference between essence and existence is used to argue for God as the Necessary Being (Wajib al-Wujud).
Conclusion
Essence and existence are foundational concepts in Islamic metaphysics. They help explain the nature of beings and the dependence of creation on a necessary, self-existent God. Through this lens, Islamic philosophy bridges faith and reason in understanding reality.