Haqiqah al-Muhammadiyyah: The Muhammadan Reality

Definition§

Haqiqah al-Muhammadiyyah (Arabic: الحقيقة المحمدية) translates to “The Muhammadan Reality.” This term was popularized by Ibn al-Arabi (1165–1240), the influential Sufi philosopher and mystic. It signifies the spiritual essence of the Prophet Muhammad and is used interchangeably with several profound expressions in Sufi theology such as haqiqah al-haqaiq (“the Reality of Realities”), nafas al-rahman (“the Breath of the All-Merciful”), al-aql al-awwal (“the First Intellect”), and al-insan al-kamil (“the perfect human being”). These expressions collectively describe the prototype of creation in God’s knowledge, the divine utterance that gives rise to creation, the first thing God created, and the ultimate purpose of the universe, respectively.

Etymology and Background§

Haqiqah al-Muhammadiyyah finds its roots in ح ق ق (“ḥ-q-q”) in Arabic, denoting “reality” or “truth.” The term imbues a sense of foundational truth in relation to the spiritual realm, anchored around the Prophet Muhammad as the fundamental lens through which divine reality is revealed and understood in creation.

Historical Context§

Introduced by Ibn al-Arabi during the 12th and 13th centuries, this term has been instrumental in shaping the metaphysical framework of Sufism. Ibn al-Arabi’s works stress the pre-existence of the Muhammadian Reality as a cosmological principle, effecting the creational process. Contemporaries and later scholars in the Islamic Golden Age further expanded on this concept, embedding it firmly in Islamic mysticism.

Cultural Differences and Similarities§

The notion of the Muhammadan Reality shows cultural resonance in diverse Islamic traditions:

• Arabic-speaking regions greatly honor this concept in classical Sufi schools.
• In Persian Sufism, poets like Rumi and Hafez often touch upon kindred themes in their mystical verses.
• Designations like Nur Muhammadi ripple through Turkic, South Asian, and Indonesian Islamic mysticism, reflecting cultural respect towards the inherent spirituality of the Prophet.

Synonyms and Related Terms§

• Haqiqah al-Haqaiq (The Reality of Realities): An all-encompassing truth underlying all existences.
• Nafas al-Rahman (The Breath of the All-Merciful): The divine breath that sustains creation.
• Al-Aql al-Awwal (The First Intellect): The primordial intellect created by God.
• Al-Insan al-Kamil (The Perfect Human Being): The quintessential representation of the ultimate human potential aligned with divine will.

Exciting Facts and Quotations§

• Notable Quote by Ibn al-Arabi: “He who knows himself knows his Lord; indeed, he believes in Haqiqah al-Muhammadiyyah as the beginning and the end.”
• Fact: The concept of Haqiqah al-Muhammadiyyah has influenced not just religious theology but also Islamic art and literature, with numerous works symbolizing the light and essence of this reality.

Literature and Sources§

• “The Meccan Revelations” by Ibn al-Arabi: An essential collection where Ibn al-Arabi discusses these mystical principles.
• “The Seal of the Saints: Prophethood and Sainthood in the doctrine of Ibn Arabi” by Michel Chodkiewicz: This book delves into the esoteric dimensions of Haqiqah al-Muhammadiyyah.
• Rumi’s Mathnawi: Poems that echo this concept in their mystical explications.
• “Thresholds of the Human Soul” by Layla Miller: Modern interpretations connecting psychological depth with Sufi thought.

Translations§

• Arabic: الحقيقة المحمدية (Haqiqah al-Muhammadiyyah)
• Persian/Iranian: حقیقت محمدیه
• Indonesian/Malay: Kebenaran Muhammadiah
• Bengali: মুহাম্মদী সত্য (Muhammadī Sattya)

May this journey into the depths of Islamic mysticism inspire and elevate your understanding of the spiritual dimensions that transcend ordinary existence. Farewell and peace be upon you.

Ibrahim Al-Yusuf October 10, 2023