Ibn Arabi

Title: Ibn Arabi, Reviver of religion and al-Shaykh al-Akbar Birth: 1165 CE [1] Death: 1240 ED in Damascus [1] Maddhab: Sunni Sufi Main Sufism interests: Notable Wahdat al-Wujud ideas: Influenced: Muhammad Tahir ul-Qadri, Shah Nimatullah, Mulla Sadra[citation needed] [[Image:name = Ab `Abd-Allah Muammad ibn Ali bin Signature: al-`Arabi al-tim al-|128px|center]]

Ibn 'Arab (Arabic: ( ) July 28, 1165 - November 10, 1240) was an Arab Sufi Muslim mystic and philosopher. His full name was Ab 'Abdullh Muammad ibn 'Al ibn Muammad ibn al-`Arab al-Him al-' ( ) .

Contents

1 Biography 2 Works 3 Commentaries and Translations of Fu al-ikam 4 References 5 See also 6 External links

Biography
Ibn Arabi [[Ramadan (calendar 560 AH/July 28, 1165 CE, and his family moved to Seville when he was eight years old. In 1200 CE, at the age of thirty-five, he left Iberia for good, intending to make the hajj to Mecca. He lived in Mecca for some three years, where he began writing his Al-Futt al-Makkiyya (The Meccan Illuminations). In 1204, he left Mecca for Anatolia with Majd al-Dn Isq, whose son adr al-Dn al-Qunaw (1210-1274) would be his most influential disciple.[2] In 1223, he settled in Damascus, where he lived the last seventeen years of his life. He died at the age of 76 on 22 Rabi' II 638 AH/November 10, 1240CE, and his tomb in Damascus is still an important place of pilgrimage.[3] A vastly prolific writer, Ibn 'Arab is generally known as the prime exponent of the idea later known as Wadat al-Wujd (literally Unity of Being), though he did not use this term in his writings. His emphasis was on the true potential of the human being and the path to realising that potential and becoming the perfect or complete man (al-insn al-kmil).

Some 800 works are attributed to Ibn 'Arab, although only some have been authenticated. Recent research suggests that over 100 of his works have survived in manuscript form, although most printed versions have not yet been critically edited and include many errors. [4]

Works

The Ringstones of Wisdom (also translated as The Bezels of Wisdom), or Fusus al-Hikam. The Meccan Illuminations (Al-Futt al-Makkiyya), his largest work in 37 volumes originally and published in 4 or 8 volumes in modern times, discussing a wide range of topics from mystical philosophy to Sufi practices and records of his dreams/visions. The Dwn, his collection of poetry spanning five volumes, mostly unedited. The printed versions available are based on only one volume of the original work. The Holy Spirit in the Counselling of the Soul (R al-quds), a treatise on the soul which includes a summary of his experience from different spiritual masters in the Maghrib. Part of this has been translated as Sufis of Andalusia, reminiscences and spiritual anecdotes about many interesting people whom he met in al-Andalus. Contemplation of the Holy Mysteries (Mashhid al-Asrr[2]), probably his first major work consisting of fourteen visions and dialogues with God. Divine Sayings (Mishkt al-Anwr[3]), an important collection made by Ibn 'Arab of 101 hadth quds The Book of Annihilation in Contemplation (K. al-Fan' fi'l-Mushhada), a short treatise on the meaning of mystical annihilation (fana). Devotional Prayers (Awrd[4]), a widely read collection of fourteen prayers for each day and night of the week. Journey to the Lord of Power (Rislat al-Anwr), a detailed technical manual and roadmap for the "journey without distance". The Book of God's Days (Ayym al-Sha'n), a work on the nature of time and the different kinds of days experienced by gnostics The Fabulous Gryphon of the West ('Unq' Mughrib), a book on the meaning of sainthood and its culmination in Jesus and the Mahd The Universal Tree and the Four Birds (al-Ittihd al-Kawn[5]), a poetic book on the Complete Human and the four principles of existence Prayer for Spiritual Elevation and Protection (al-Dawr al-A'l[6]), a short prayer which is still widely used in the Muslim world The Interpreter of Desires (Tarjumn al-Ashwq) love poetry (ghazals) which, in response to critics, Ibn Arabi republished with a commentary explaining the meaning of the poetic symbols The Four Pillars of Spiritual Transformation (Hilyat al-abdl[7]), a short work on the essentials of the spiritual Path

Commentaries and Translations of Fu al-ikam

There have been many exceptional commentaries on Ibn 'Arab's Fu al-ikam: the first, al-Fukk, was written by his stepson and heir, adr al-Dn al-Qunaw, who

had studied the book with Ibn 'Arab; the second by Qunaw's student, Mu'ayyad alDn al-Jand, which was the first line-by-line commentary; the third by Jand's student, Dawd al-Qaysar, which became very influential in the Persian-speaking world. There were many others, in the Ottoman world (eg 'Abdullah al-Bosnaw), the Arab world (eg 'Abd al-Ghan al-Nabulus) and the Persian world (eg Haydar mol). It is estimated that there are over fifty commentaries on the Fu, most of which only exist in manuscript form. The more famous (such as Qunaw's Fukk) have been printed in recent years in Iran. A recent English translation of Ibn 'Arab's own summary of the Fu, Naqsh al-Fu (The Imprint or Pattern of the Fusus) as well a commentary on this work by 'Abd al-Ramn Jm, Naqd al-Nu f Shar Naqsh al-Fu (1459), by William Chittick was published in Volume 1 of the Journal of the Muhyiddin Ibn 'Arabi Society (1982).[5] The Fu was first critically edited in Arabic by 'Aff (1946). The first English translation was done in partial form by Angela Culme-Seymour from the French translation of Titus Burckhardt as Wisdom of the Prophets (1975)[6], and the first full translation was by Ralph Austin as Bezels of Wisdom (1980)[7]. There is also a complete French translation by Charles-Andre Gilis, entitled Le livre des chatons des sagesses (1997). The only major commentary to have been translated into English so far is entitled Ismail Hakki Bursevi's translation and commentary on Fusus al-hikam by Muhyiddin Ibn 'Arabi, translated from Ottoman Turkish by Bulent Rauf in 4 volumes (1985-1991). In Urdu, the most widespread and authentic translation was made by Maulvi Abdul Qadeer Siddiqui (Hasrat), the former Dean and Professor of Theology of the Osmania University, Hyderabad. It is due to this reason that his translation is in the curriculum of Punjab University. Maulvi Abdul Qadeer Siddiqui has made an interpretive translation and explained the terms and grammar while clarifying the Shaikh's opinions.

References
^ a b Sufism and Taoism, by Toshihiko Izutsu (California 1983) [1] ^ Ibn al-'Arabi by William Chittick ^ Tomb of Ibn Arabi ^ Ibn Arabi (560-638/1165-1240) ^ Journal of the Muhyiddin Ibn 'Arabi Society ^ Culme-Seymour, A.(tr.)(1975),"The Wisdom of the Prophets", Gloucestershire, U.K.:Beshara Publications 7. ^ Austin, R.W.J.(tr.)(1980),"Ibn Al'Arabi: The Bezels of Wisdom",Mahwah, NJ: The Paulist Press, ISBN 0-8091-2331-2 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Hirtenstein, The Unlimited Mercifier, ISBN 0-9534513-2-1 Addas, Quest for the Red Sulphur, ISBN 0-946621-45-4 Titus Burckhardt & Bulent Rauf (translator), Mystical Astrology According to Ibn 'Arabi (The Fons Vitae Titus Burckhardt Series) ISBN 1-887752-43-9 Torbjrn Sfve, "Var inte rdd", ISBN 91-7221-112-1

See also

Islamic scholars Sufism Al Akbariyya Ivan Aguli Mahmud Shabistari Wahdat-ul-Wujood Miguel Asn Palacios List of Sufis influenced by Ibn 'Arab

External links

Ibn Arabi society page about Ibn Arabi Information about Ibn 'Arabi's life and works A column of Light The Seals of Wisdom () Selections from Ibn Arabi's "Meccan Revelations" (al-Futuhat al-Makkiyya) Ibn Arabi & Mystical Journey:The Journey to the Lord of Power -(John G. Sullivan Department of Philosophy Elon College) Correspondences between the Sufi Ideas of Ibn Arabi and Physics Ibn Arabi (www.irfanokulu.net)

Tasawwuf (Sufism)
Ideas: Ihsan Noor Maqaam Haal Manzil Yaqeen Fanaa Baqaa Haqiqah Marifah Nafs Dhawq Sulook Cosmology Kashf Metaphysics Psychology Tajalli

Practices:Dhikr Hadhra Muraqaba Qawwali Sema Whirling Sufi orders: Chishti Mevlevi Murdiyya Naqshbandi Qadri Rifa'i Shadhili Suhrawardi Tijaniyyah Qadiri Boutchichi Ni'matullh List of tariqas

Uwais al-Qarni Hasan Basri Rabia Basri Bayazid Bastami Junayd Baghdadi Dhu n-Nun Hallaj Abolkheir Ghazali Kharaqani Gilani Early Moinuddin Chishti Suhrawardi Rifa'i Bakhtiar Kaki Baba Farid Ibn Notable Arabi Shams Tabrizi Rumi Saadi Attar Shabistari Nizamuddin Sufis: Auliya Ganj Bakhsh Baha-ud-Din Naqshband Amir Khusro Safi Nimatullah Kubra Jami Jazouli Sabir Pak Shah Waliullah Ata Allah Zarruq Yesevi Emre Semnani Sirhindi Bhittai Haddad Tahir ul-Qadri Tahir Allauddin Abdal Hakim Murad Shaykh Nazim Notable Hisham Kabbani Nuh Keller Muhammad al-Maliki Abdalqadir asModern Sufi Qalander Ba Ba Auliya Shamsuddin Azeemi Reshad Feild Ahmad Sufis: al-Alawi Ozak Bawa Muhaiyaddeen Galib Omar Shah Haeri Gohar Shahi Sufi Shah Lings Chittick Ernst Sells Corbin Frager Schimmel Hixon

studies: Aguli Gunon Nasr Burckhardt Almqvist Lindbom Schuon Topics in Art Fiction History Music Poetry Shrines Texts Sufism: Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibn_Arabi" Categories: 1165 births | 1240 deaths | Andalusian people | Arab philosophers | Moorish writers | Moorish Sufis | Murcian people | Muslim philosophers | Spanish astrologers | Sufi poets | Sufi mystics

Tariqah

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Tasawwuf (Sufism)

Ideas:

Ihsan Noor Maqaam Haal Manzil Yaqeen Fanaa Baqaa Haqiqah Marifah Nafs Dhawq Sulook Cosmology Kashf Metaphysics Psychology Tajalli

Practices:Dhikr Hadhra Muraqaba Qawwali Sema Whirling Sufi Chishti Mevlevi Murdiyya Naqshbandi Qadri Rifa'i Shadhili orders: Suhrawardi Tijaniyyah Qadiri Boutchichi Ni'matullh List of tariqas Uwais al-Qarni Hasan Basri Rabia Basri Bayazid Bastami Junayd Baghdadi Dhu n-Nun Hallaj Abolkheir Ghazali Kharaqani Gilani Early Moinuddin Chishti Suhrawardi Rifa'i Bakhtiar Kaki Baba Farid Ibn Notable Arabi Shams Tabrizi Rumi Saadi Attar Shabistari Nizamuddin Sufis: Auliya Ganj Bakhsh Baha-ud-Din Naqshband Amir Khusro Safi Nimatullah Kubra Jami Jazouli Sabir Pak Shah Waliullah Ata Allah Zarruq Yesevi Emre Semnani Sirhindi Bhittai Haddad Tahir ul-Qadri Tahir Allauddin Abdal Hakim Murad Shaykh Nazim Notable Hisham Kabbani Nuh Keller Muhammad al-Maliki Abdalqadir asModern Sufi Qalander Ba Ba Auliya Shamsuddin Azeemi Reshad Feild Sufis: Ahmad al-Alawi Ozak Bawa Muhaiyaddeen Galib Omar Shah Haeri Gohar Shahi Sufi Shah Lings Chittick Ernst Sells Corbin Frager Schimmel Hixon studies: Aguli Gunon Nasr Burckhardt Almqvist Lindbom Schuon Topics in Art Fiction History Music Poetry Shrines Texts Sufism: Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tariqah" Categories: Sufism | Sufi philosophy | Sufi orders Hidden categories: Articles containing Arabic language text | Articles containing Persian language text | Articles containing Turkish language text | All articles to be merged | Articles to be merged since June 2008
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