Nasir Khusraw and the Philosophy of Divine Justice: An Intellectual Discourse on Ismaili Hermeneutics in the Qur’anic Perspective

ناصرخسرو و فلسفۂ عدلِ الٰہی: اسماعیلی تاویل اور قرآنی تناظر میں فکری مناقشہ

Abstract

This study explores the philosophical and theological thought of Nasir Khusraw (1004–1088 CE), a prominent Ismaili scholar, poet, and philosopher, focusing on his conception of Divine Justice (ʿAdl-i Ilāhī) within the framework of Ismaili hermeneutics (ta’wīl). Nasir Khusraw’s interpretation of divine justice transcends mere juridical or moral considerations and integrates metaphysical, cosmological, and epistemological dimensions grounded in the Qur’anic worldview. Through his works such as Gushayish wa Rahayish and Wajh-i Dīn, he articulates a rational synthesis between revelation and intellect, asserting that divine justice manifests through the harmony of creation, the order of intellect, and the guidance of the Imamate.  In contrast to literalist readings of the Qur’an, Nasir Khusraw’s esoteric hermeneutics reveal the inner meanings (bāṭin) of divine attributes and human accountability, establishing a balance between divine transcendence and immanence. The research examines how his Ismaili philosophical framework addresses critical questions of human free will, moral responsibility, and theodicy in comparison with broader Islamic theological perspectives, including Mu‘tazilite and Ash‘arite thought.  By situating Nasir Khusraw’s theory of divine justice within the Qur’anic context, this paper demonstrates his contribution to Islamic intellectual history as an advocate of rational spirituality and ethical universalism. The study concludes that his integration of reason and revelation provides a profound model for understanding the relationship between divine justice, human intellect, and the spiritual evolution of humankind.