Islamic History and Literature

This article aims to explore the striking conceptual parallels that exist between the fundamental principles of modern quantum mechanics and the deep ontological concepts of Islamic and Sufi metaphysics. The research focuses on such fundamental concepts of modern physics as the propagation of light by quanta, superposition, the uncertainty principle, quantum entanglement, the holographic principle and the quantum vacuum. These concepts are analyzed in a comparative manner with expressions such as the verse of the Light (24:35) in the Holy Quran, the creation command “Kun fayaqun” (Be and be) (36:82) and “Every moment He is in a new matter” (55:29), as well as with complex Sufi concepts such as Ibn al-Arabi's “wahdati-wujud” (unity of being), “nafs ar-Rahman” (breath of the Most Gracious), “aʿyān as-sabītā” (fixed truths) and “tajalli” (manifestation). The article also interprets the “light-image-mirror” model in Suhrawardi's Ishraq philosophy and Imam Ghazzali's “Mishkat al-Anwar” (The Lamp of Lights), quantum phenomena such as photons, the measurement problem and the collapse of the wave function in an analogous framework. The study aims to build a heuristic bridge between these two different languages, by bringing together the cognitive maps presented by mystical texts and the mathematical models of quantum theory, rather than directly claiming identity. This approach, on the one hand, increases the potential of theological cognition to establish a dialogue with modern science and on the other hand, creates a conceptual basis for rereading and deeply understanding topics such as quantum information, holography and “continuous creation” (creatio continua) in the context of Islamic cosmology. This article, deepening the general framework formed in the author's research over the years, especially focusing on Islamic and Sufi mysticism, proposes a new synthesis in the field of science and philosophy of religion.