The Commentary Tradition ON THE ILĀHIYYĀT OF THE SHIFĀʾ

Abstract

This article reviews the commentary tradition around the Metaphysics of Avicenna’s Shifā’ as it evolved in the lands that belonged to Avicenna’s own cultural horizon, most of all in Iran. From this overview it emerges that this tradition is characterized by a keen interest  in textual criticism and a solid philosophical grasp of Avicenna’s metaphysical doctrines. This interest is reflected in the variety of writings that this tradition produced. The scope and quality of the surviving material are such that any future edition of Avicenna’s opus major will have to give this tradition its fullest consideration.