Ibn Arabi

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Ibn Arabi bigraphy, stories - Muslim philosopher

Ibn Arabi : biography

July 28, 1165 – November 10, 1240

Ibn ʿArabī () (July 28, 1165 – November 10, 1240) was an Arab Andalusian Sufi mystic and philosopher. Refer to his Multi volumed book called Fatuhat al Makkiyyah (The Meccan revelations) where he explains this reality

He is renowned by some practitioners of Sufism as "the greatest master"Attested by many legendary scholars of Shariah such as al-Alusi al-Hanafi in his magnificent Tafsir where he addressed the Sheikh as: The Sheikh ul Akbar (greatest sheikh), Muhayuddin Ibn Arabi Qudus Allah Ta’la Sira [Ruh ul Ma’ani Volume # 7, Page # 741, the arabic of which states: الشيخ الأكبر محيـي الدين بن العربـي قدس اللـه تعالى سره ] and also as a genuine saint.Al-Suyuti, Tanbih al-Ghabi fi Tanzih Ibn ‘Arabi (p. 17-21)

Works

Some 800 works are attributed to Ibn Arabi, 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.

  • The Ringstones of Wisdom (also translated as The Bezels of Wisdom), or Fusus al-Hikam. The attribution of this work (Fusus al-Hikam) to Shiekh Ibn Arabi is doubtful and is described as a forgery and false attribution to him, as there are 74 books in total attributed to Sheikh Ibn Arabi of which 56 have been mentioned in "Al Futuhat al-Makkiyya" and the rest mentioned in the other books cited therein.Al Futuhat Al Makkiyya, Dar Sader, Beirut, Lebanon, Book 1, pg 7
  • The Meccan Illuminations (Al-Futūḥāt 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 Dīwān, 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 (Rūḥ 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 Mashāhid al-Asrār probably his first major work, consisting of fourteen visions and dialogues with God.
  • Divine Sayings Mishkāt al-Anwār, an important collection made by Ibn ‘Arabī of 101 hadīth qudsī
  • The Book of Annihilation in Contemplation (K. al-Fanā’ fi’l-Mushāhada), a short treatise on the meaning of mystical annihilation (fana).
  • Devotional Prayers Awrād, a widely read collection of fourteen prayers for each day and night of the week.
  • Journey to the Lord of Power (Risālat al-Anwār), a detailed technical manual and roadmap for the "journey without distance".
  • The Book of God’s Days (Ayyām 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 (‘Unqā’ Mughrib), a book on the meaning of sainthood and its culmination in Jesus and the Mahdī
  • The Universal Tree and the Four Birds al-Ittihād al-Kawnī, a poetic book on the Complete Human and the four principles of existence
  • Prayer for Spiritual Elevation and Protection (‘al-Dawr al-A’lā), a short prayer which is still widely used in the Muslim world
  • The Interpreter of Desires (Tarjumān al-Ashwāq) love poetry (ghazals) which, in response to critics, Ibn Arabi republished with a commentary explaining the meaning of the poetic symbols.
  • Divine Governance of the Human Kingdom (At-Tadbidrat al-ilahiyyah fi islah al-mamlakat al-insaniyyah).
  • The Four Pillars of Spiritual Transformation Hilyat al-abdāl a short work on the essentials of the spiritual Path