Ibn al-Arabi, Muhyi al-Din - The Visionary Sheikh of Sufism 🕌
Comprehensive Definition and Meaning
Ibn al-Arabi, Muhyi al-Din (1165-1240), also revered as al-Shaykh al-Akbar (The Greatest Shaykh), is a pivotal figure in Islamic mysticism, better known for his substantial contributions to Sufi thought. His philosophical and mystical writings have both profoundly inspired and deeply polarized scholars and practitioners.
Etymology and Background
Ibn al-Arabi translates to “Son of Arabi.” His full name is Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn ‘Ali ibn Muhammad ibn al-Arabi al-Hatimi al-Tāʾī. The epithet Muhyi al-Din means “Reviver of the Faith,” denoting his significant influence on Islamic spirituality.
Historical Facts and Dates
Born: July 26, 1165, Murcia, Al-Andalus (modern-day Spain)
Died: November 10, 1240, Damascus, Syria
Important Milestones:
- 1198: Began travels to the Muslim East.
- 1215: Completed “Futuhat al-Makkiyah” (The Meccan Revelations).
- 1229: Wrote “Fusus al-Hikam” (The Bezels of Wisdom).
Major Contributions:
- Wahdat al-Wujud (Unity of Being): Ibn al-Arabi is most renowned for advocating that all creation emanates from and returns to a single, divine reality.
- Al-Insan al-Kamil (The Perfect Person): Explores the archetype of an ideal human embodying divine qualities.
Cultural Differences and Similarities
Ibn al-Arabi’s teachings influenced various Sufi traditions across the Muslim world, leading to both veneration and controversy:
- In the Arab World: Deep reverence among Sufi circles but faced criticism from orthodox scholars.
- In South Asia: Highly respected in Chishti and other Sufi orders, integrating his ideas into local mysticism.
- In the Persian and Turkish worlds: His metaphysical concepts became integral to Persian poetry and Turkish Sufi orders like Bektashi.
Synonyms and Related Terms
Synonyms:
- The Greatest (Shaykh al-Akbar)
- The Greatest Master (Al-Shaykh al-Kabir)
Antonyms:
- Heretic (a term used by his critics)
Related Terms:
- Futuhat al-Makkiyah: A monumental work of 560 chapters dealing with various esoteric subjects.
- Fusus al-Hikam: Thirty-seven chapters, each dedicated to a prophet mentioned in the Qur’an.
Exciting Facts
- His concept of wahdat al-wujud deeply influenced many scholars, including Mulla Sadra and Jalaluddin Rumi.
- Despite controversies, he has a large following, with his tomb in Damascus being a significant pilgrimage site.
Quotations from Notable Writers
“He called for a seductive self-love, a love for one’s ego, and for the most beautiful appearance of the One, so that the appearance may be judged by the Oneness of the inner essence.”
Suggested Literature and Sources for Further Studies
- “The Bezels of Wisdom” (Fusus al-Hikam)
- “The Meccan Revelations” (Futuhat al-Makkiyah)
- William C. Chittick, “Imaginal Worlds: Ibn al-Arabi and the Problem of Religious Diversity”
- Claude Addas, “Quest for the Red Sulphur: The Life of Ibn al-Arabi”
- Toshihiko Izutsu, “Sufism and Taoism: A Comparative Study of Key Philosophical Concepts”
- Henry Corbin, “Creative Imagination in the Sufism of Ibn Arabi”
Inspirational Thought-Provoking Farewell
Explore the boundless universe within you, as Ibn al-Arabi sought to do, bridging the finite with the infinite through the lens of divine unity and love.
By Aisha El-Mansouri
Farewell with a reminder: The universe within each of us is a reflection of the divine, always guiding us towards greater truth and love.
