Ibn Arabi, also known as Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi (1165–1240), was a highly influential Sufi mystic, philosopher, poet, and scholar from Andalusia, now part of Spain. His full name was Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Muhammad ibn al-‘Arabi al-Hatimi al-Ta’i, and he is often referred to as Shaykh al-Akbar, meaning The Greatest Master, due to his profound contributions to Islamic mysticism and spiritual thought.
Ibn Arabi's works are characterised by deep metaphysical insights and elaborate mystical concepts, such as the idea of Wahdat al-Wujud (Unity of Being), which posits that all existence is fundamentally one, with God as the only true reality. This concept suggests that everything in the universe is a manifestation of God's presence, and that the apparent diversity of the world is ultimately an illusion.
Among his many writings, "The Meccan Revelations" (Al-Futuhat al-Makkiyya) and "The Bezels of Wisdom" (Fusus al-Hikam) are the most famous. In these works, Ibn Arabi delves into complex discussions about the nature of existence, the relationship between God and creation, and the path to spiritual realisation.
Ibn Arabi's influence extends beyond Sufism and has impacted various schools of thought within Islam, as well as spiritual traditions outside of it. His ideas have been studied and debated for centuries, making him one of the most important figures in Islamic intellectual history.
Ibn Arabi's works are characterised by deep metaphysical insights and elaborate mystical concepts, such as the idea of Wahdat al-Wujud (Unity of Being), which posits that all existence is fundamentally one, with God as the only true reality. This concept suggests that everything in the universe is a manifestation of God's presence, and that the apparent diversity of the world is ultimately an illusion.
Among his many writings, "The Meccan Revelations" (Al-Futuhat al-Makkiyya) and "The Bezels of Wisdom" (Fusus al-Hikam) are the most famous. In these works, Ibn Arabi delves into complex discussions about the nature of existence, the relationship between God and creation, and the path to spiritual realisation.
Ibn Arabi's influence extends beyond Sufism and has impacted various schools of thought within Islam, as well as spiritual traditions outside of it. His ideas have been studied and debated for centuries, making him one of the most important figures in Islamic intellectual history.
