Divine Governance of the Human Kingdom: Including What the Seeker Needs and The One Alone

by Ibn ʿArabi, Tosun Bayrak, al-Jerrahi al-Halveti (Translation)

A powerful but little known work, this volume contains three mystical texts. 'Al-tadbirat,' the largest, is a fascinating treatise on the divine design and management of the world, and the central role the human model plays in the creative and governing process. The other two are 'kitab kunh ma la budda minhu lil-murid' (or, "What the Seeker Needs"), a brief guide for those want to follow the Sufi path, and 'kitab al-ahadiyyah' (or, "The One Alone"), an esoteric essay on transcendental unity.

Genres: Islam, Religion, Philosophy

300 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Note to arabic readers : For the original arabic version of the books, check "other editions" in the book that interests you)

Universally known by the title of "Muhyi al-Din" (The Reviver of the Religion) and "al-Shaykh al-Akbar" (The Greatest Shaykh) Ibn 'Arabī (Arabic: ابن عربي‎) (July 28, 1165 - November 10, 1240) was an Arab Sufi Muslim mystic and philosopher. His full name was Abū 'Abdullāh Muḥammad ibn 'Alī ibn Muḥammad ibn al-`Arabī al-Hāṭimī al-Ṭā'ī (أبو عبد الله محمد بن علي بن محمد بن العربي الحاتمي الطائي).

Muhammad ibn al-Arabi 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-Futūḥāt al-Makkiyya (The Meccan Illuminations). In 1204, he left Mecca for Anatolia with Majd al-Dīn Isḥāq, whose son Ṣadr al-Dīn al-Qunawī (1210-1274) would be his most influential disciple.

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.

A vastly prolific writer, Ibn 'Arabī is generally known as the prime exponent of the idea later known as Waḥdat al-Wujūd (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-insān al-kāmil).

Some 800 works are attributed to Ibn 'Arabā, 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.

Reviews

[Abrar Shahi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Critical Arabic edition and Urdu translation of Shaykh al-Akbar's Tadbirat al-Ilahiyya. Highly recommended from Ibn al-Arabi Foundation

Ibn al-Arabi says:

“This little book contains vast knowledge of great benefit to all. It is gathered from the gardens of Eden and from Divine Providence. It is meant to be a guide to believers There are neither conjectures not doubts in it. Even if some may find faults in it, they will concede that they are small, fine and beautiful”.

[Muath Aziz · Rating 2 out of 5]

ذكّرني بجمهورية أفلاطون عندما شبّه الإنسان بالمملكة وأجزاءه بأجزائها.

الباب الثامن وعنوانه في الفراسة الشرعية والحكمية (الشعر اللين يدل على الجبن والخشن يدل على الشجاعة، وهكذا) موجود كلمةً كلمة في كتاب سر الأسرار المنسوب خطأً لأرسطو، يبدأ الكلام بـ "واعلم أن الحكماء قالوا إن الشعر الخشن الخ" أي أن إبن عربي لم ينسب الكلام لنفسه

الباب السادس عشر وعنوانه في ترتيب الغذاء الروحاني على الفصول السنة لأقامة هذا الملك الإنساني وبقائه.. نفس الفكرة موجودة في سر الأسرار

سر الأسرار يقال خطأ أنه رسالة من أرسطو لتلميذه ألكسندر المقدوني ذو القرنين، وعموماً فيه نصائح لإرشاده لحكم وصحة أفضل.. ربما من هنا أتت فكرة الكتاب لإبن عربي حين شبّه الإنسان بالمملكة وأعطى نصائح لحكمها بشكل صحيح

[Jagdish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Divine Governance of the Human Kingdom is a profound exploration of spiritual development and the interconnectedness of all things. The text, divided into three parts, offers a unique perspective on the seeker's journey towards divine unity.

Part I: What the Seeker Needs: this section outlines the essential qualities and actions required for spiritual progress. Ibn 'Arabi emphasizes the importance of:

Knowledge: Understanding the nature of God and the self is crucial for spiritual growth.

Love: A deep and abiding love for God is the driving force behind spiritual pursuit.

Patience: The path to spiritual enlightenment is often challenging, requiring patience and perseverance.

Trust: Trusting in God's divine plan is essential for overcoming obstacles and maintaining faith.

Submission: Surrendering one's will to God is a fundamental aspect of spiritual development.

Part II: Divine Governance of the Human Kingdom: in this section, Ibn 'Arabi uses the metaphor of a kingdom to illustrate the spiritual journey. The human soul is likened to a kingdom, governed by divine laws. The seeker's task is to establish order within their own kingdom, aligning their desires and actions with the divine will.

Part III: The One Alone: this final section delves into the ultimate goal of spiritual pursuit: the realization of divine unity. Ibn 'Arabi argues that true spiritual fulfillment lies in recognizing the oneness of God and the interconnectedness of all creation. By transcending the limitations of the ego, the seeker can experience a state of divine union.

Analysis

Divine Governance of the Human Kingdom offers a rich and nuanced exploration of spiritual development. Ibn 'Arabi's use of metaphor and allegory makes complex concepts accessible to a wider audience. The text emphasizes the importance of knowledge, love, patience, trust, and submission as essential qualities for spiritual growth.

The notion of the human soul as a kingdom governed by divine laws provides a powerful framework for understanding the spiritual journey. By aligning one's actions with the divine will, the seeker can establish order within their own being and experience a sense of peace and fulfillment.

Ibn 'Arabi's emphasis on the ultimate goal of divine unity is a central theme throughout the text. The realization of divine unity is presented as the culmination of the spiritual journey, a state of transcendent consciousness in which the seeker experiences the oneness of God and all creation.

Overall, Divine Governance of the Human Kingdom is a valuable resource for those seeking to deepen their understanding of spirituality and the human experience. Ibn 'Arabi's insights offer a timeless and universal perspective on the path to spiritual enlightenment.

[Sagheer Afzal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth book I have read by Ibn Arabi, and I am happy to say that I learnt something new. When reading Ibn Arabi it is easy to become bewildered by some of his contradictory statements regarding unity, multiplicity and non-existence. You have to keep in mind that Sufi Masters cannot ideate their inner world and the experiences they have had in traversing through it, through words. People like Ibn Arabi really did live in their own world and words cannot always access spiritual dimensions.

When reading Ibn Arabi, you have to also bear in mind the context of the times he lived in. During the era of Sufism, there were scores of people who regarded themselves as souls and as such paid more attention to the dimension and construction of their souls than they did to the outside world.

Another point of interest was the false hadith which Ibn Arabi relied so heavily upon. Most notable being 'If there are two rulers in the country, kill one of them." I thought it strange that Ibn Arabi for all his mystical insight was unable to realise the mendacity of such a hadith. I was however heartened to read later on that Ibn Arabi actively encourage people to work as opposed to sitting down and praying.

All in all, a good expose into the inner and outer world of Ibn Arabi.

[Amjad Hussain · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is great read about mystical matters.

[Lucas Suter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. I'm not incredibly knowledgable about Sufi mysticism but it definitely forced me to sit and think for long periods of time, which is what books should do.

[Hussein Hammad · Rating 5 out of 5]

رضى الله عن سيدنا ومولانا وحبيبنا محيى الدين ابن عربى وأرضاه ورضى عنا به آمين

[Lumumba Shakur · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably the most accessible treatise by Ibn Arabi that I've had the good pleasure to have read. That may be due to Shaykh Tosun Bayrak's translation style. It has been a while since I have read it, but I do recall that I enjoined all three selections that are in this publication. This is translation of Ibn Arabi's that I want to read again.

[Leon Del canto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very accessible and highly recommended to those interested in Islamic spirituality