IBN ‘ARABI: HEIR TO THE PROPHETS
BN ‘ARABI: HEIR TO THE PROPHETS ( William C. Chittick Muhyi al-Din Ibn ‘Arabi (1165-1240) was an outstanding Spanish-born mystic and one of the most prolific writers in Islamic history. He made major contributions to the fields of Qur’an commentary, jurisprudence, theology, philosophy, cosmology, and spiritual psychology, and he was also a great poet of love. Few authors can match W. C. Chittick’s knowledge and understanding of Ibn ‘Arabi. In this short volume, which is an excellent addition to the secondary literature on Ibn ‘Arabi, he makes available Ibn `4rabi’s complex worldview in a relatively short format. Accessible yet authoritative, the book introduces his thought to readers who have not been exposed to it and provides a refresher course for those who have. The first two chapters deal with the relation between Ibn `Arabi’s teachings and his self-perception as Seal of the Muhammadan Saints and lover of God. Chapters three and four address the relationship between God and human beings in terms of love and remembrance. Chapters five and six discuss the nature of knowledge, its role in human becoming, and the importance of correctly apprehending the phenomenal world. Seventh and eighth chapters offer a few glimpses into the world of imagination, specifically its relation to the soul and death. The ninth and final chapter looks at the central role of divine mercy in the afterlife. It also includes a guide to further reading, and will prove an indispensable resource for readers of all backgrounds.
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