Ša‛baḏa: prestidigitation and illusionism between the history of science, philosophy and theology

Abstract

Cited in the classifications of sciences as operational science (ṣinā‛a), in the Islamic world of the Middle Ages, the ša‛baḏa, in its various forms and extensions — it can also be shadow play — balances along a delicate border. While the public is enjoying its ‘wonders’, scholars of different backgrounds give their opinions on its real contents; the philosophers, beyond the ‘wonders’, meditate on the hand of man and on the degree of its perfection which makes it the most sensitive of instruments; the theologians tend to consider it the sister of magic, and as such to be condemned, yet they can also mention it in laudatory terms; the mystics come to compare the muša‛biḏ to God. Against this
lively, colorful background, the muša‛biḏ, regardless of anything other than his art, continues to play his game.
Keywords: ša‛baḏa, prestidigitation, shadow play, islamic philosophy, islamic theology, taṣawwuf.
Medieval Authors: al-Ǧaubarī, Iḫwān al-ṣafā’, Ibn Sīnā, al-Ǧuwainī, al-Ġazālī.