An Evaluation of Richard Frank’s View on the Ontological Status of Aḥwāl and Its Implications in Abū Hāshim al-Jubbāʾī’s Theory

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Ph.D. Student in Imāmiyya Theology, Department of Philosophy and Theology, Faculty of Theology, College of Farabi, University of Tehran, Qom, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy and Theology, Faculty of Theology, College of Farabi, University of Tehran, Qom, Iran .

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy and Theology, Faculty of Philosophy and Ethics, Baqir al-Olum University (A.S.), Qom, Iran.

Abstract

based on textual evidence, Richard M. Frank argues that in the ontology of Abū Hāshim al-Jubbāʾī (d. 321 AH), the ontological order of states [aḥwāl] is distinct from that of entities [dhawāt] (including essences [jawāhir] and accidents [aʿrāḍ]). The existence of dhawāt is explained using the term ḥudūth [coming to be]; thus, jawāhir and aʿrāḍ are either muḥdath and existent or yaṣiḥḥ al-ḥudūth and non-existent. However, the existence of aḥwāl is explained using the term tajaddud [becoming]; thus, aḥwāl are either mutajaddid or ghayr mutajaddid. Frank claims that tajaddud is more general than ḥudūth, meaning not every mutajaddid is an existent muḥdath, nor is every ghayr mutajaddid a non-existent yaṣiḥḥ al-ḥudūth. Therefore, aḥwāl are “neither existent nor non-existent.” This study shows that Frank's argument relies on three pieces of evidence, none of which substantiate his view. One pertains to the aḥwāl in Abū al-Ḥusayn al-Baṣrī’s thought, which differs from Abū Hāshim’s. In the other two, the term tajaddud alongside aḥwāl does not aim to explain their ontology. Moreover, Frank’s interpretation requires Abū Hāshim to include yaṣiḥḥ al-ḥudūth within mutajaddid entities that are not muḥdath. Yet, neither mutajaddid ḥāl nor ṣifah [attribute] is ever attributed to non-existent entities in his followers' texts.

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References

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Journal of Religious Thought : A Quarterly Journal of Shiraz University
Volume 25, Issue 2 - Serial Number 95
September 2025
Pages 19-34

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