The Ṣūfī Approach in the Manuscripts of Al-Khwārizmī's Zīj as‐Sindhind al‐kabīr, Shams al-Dīn al-Khafrī's Solution of the Insoluble, and Naṣīr al-Dīn al-Ṭūsī's Al-Tadhkīrah

Abstract

This study examines the Sufi cosmological perspectives articulated in three pivotal manuscripts: Zīj al-Sindhind by Al-Khwārizmī, Ḥall mā lā yanḥall (Solution of the Insoluble) by Shams al-Din al-Khafrī, and Al-Tadhkīra by Nasir al-Din al-Ṭūsī. By analyzing their conceptualization of circular and orbital cosmology, the research unveils the philosophical and mystical frameworks that underpin these works and their profound implications for understanding cosmic creation. Rooted in the rich intellectual traditions of Islamic thought, this comparative study highlights the interplay of mathematical rigor and Sufi cosmogonic insights, exposing both shared theoretical foundations and unique interpretations. These works demonstrate a sophisticated integration of scientific precision with metaphysical inquiry, reflecting a worldview where the natural and the spiritual coexist in harmony. The findings offer a nuanced perspective on the synthesis of Islamic mysticism and scientific thought, situating these manuscripts as cornerstones of Islamic intellectual history and underscoring their relevance to contemporary discussions on the relationship between science and spirituality.