figuratively) ascribed to what is ‘posterior.

figuratively) ascribed to what is ‘posterior.’ An example of it is water flowing in a channel: water literally possesses the flow, and this flow is ascribed accidentally to the channel in which it flows. Its opposite is posteriority by virtue of literality. This kind has been added by Sadr al-Muta’allihîn.

(vi) Meta-temporal priority (al-sabq bi-dahr) is the priority of the necessitating cause over its effect, though not in respect of its necessitating the existence of the effect and bringing it into being, as mentioned under priority by causality, but in the respect that its existence is separate and detached from the existence of the effect.

By virtue of the cause existing on a higher existential plane than the effect, the effect is non-existent at the existential plane of the cause, such as the priority of the immaterial world of the Intellect over the world of matter. Its opposite is meta-temporal posteriority (al-ta’akkkhur al-dahrî).

This kind has been added by Mir Dâmâd, may God’s mercy be upon him, on the basis of his conception of meta-temporal hudûts and qidam, which will be explained later on.’ (vii) Priority by rank (al-sabq bi al-rutbah) occurs in hierarchies based on nature, position and convention. An example of the first kind is the hierarchy of genera and species.

If one were to begin at the highest genus, a higher genus will be prior to the one below it, which in its turn will be prior to the one below it until the ultimate species is reached. But if one were to begin at the ultimate species, the order of priority will be reversed. The imam or the prayer leader and those who follow him in a congregational prayer offer an example of the second kind.

If one were to begin at the prayer niche, the imam will be seen to be prior to those in the row behind him, and those in the first row will be prior to those in the second, and so on and so forth. But if one were to begin from the last row, the order of priority and posteriority will be reverse. Opposed to this kind of priority is posteriority in terms of rank.

(viii) Priority by virtue of superiority (al-sabq bi al-syaraf) depends on worth and merit, such as the priority of a knowledgeable person over an ignorant one and a courageous person over a coward. الفصل الثاني في ملاك السبق في أقسامه ------------------------------------ و هو الأمر المشترك فيه بين المتقدم و المتأخر الذي فيه التقدم.