Imprinted Forms in Khwājah Naṣīr al-Dīn al-Ṭūsī's Theory of Divine Knowledge

The issue of 'divine knowledge' is an important one in philosophy and theology, related to God's relationship with the universe. Khwājah Naṣīr al-Dīn al-Ṭūsī (d. 1201-1274) generally accepts the concept of 'divine knowledge', but he opposes specific details of Ibn Sīnā's (d. 980-1037) explanation. He rejects the theory of imprinted forms in the divine essence and does not regard God as an Agent by Providence (fāʿil bi-l-ʿināyah). He believes that the divine essence has the attribute of will in addition to that of knowledge; hence, God is an Intentional Agent (fāʿil bi-l-qaṣd) and forms of beings are located in the essence of Intellect (the first creature) before the creation. However, al-Ṭūsī's reasons for criticizing Ibn Sīnā's theory are weak, for when he removes forms of the beings from the divine essence and puts them in the essence of Intellect, not only does he solve no problem, but he also produces some new problems in this case. Meanwhile, he is unsuccessful in reconciling his philosophical and theological (kālāmīyah) theories.