Sufis of Andalusia: The "Ruh al-Quds" & "al-Durrat al-Fakhirah"

by Ibn ʿArabi, R.W.J. Austin (Translator)

Publish By Suhail Acdmy

Genres: Islam, Spirituality, History, Metaphysics, Religion

173 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

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

[Elizabeth L'Abate · Rating 5 out of 5]

We learn through his biographies of Sufi Saints what Ibn Arabi considered important in spiritual attainment. He never praises any Sufi for giving good talks, but paises Sufis, who, when they were in the audience , would inspire others to give great talks....

[Umkulthoom A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ordinary people extra ordinary spirits

I didn't know how to break the hardness of my habits until I read of of the Sufi who daily reconciling their deeds. Every day inshallah I intend to reconcile my book of records.

[Mo Durrani · Rating 5 out of 5]

All philosophy, spirituality, and religious doctrine points in one direction, and that much is reassuring.

It is man who is not in agreement with one another.

[ഉപ്പാന്റെ കുട്ടി]

I want to read this book.
Help me I don't have other resources

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fascinating account by Ibn 'Arabi, the great 12th century Andalusian Sufi mystic and scholar, of other profound sufis of his time, in response to a friend's criticism that such mystics were lacking in their times.

[Rob Squires · Rating 5 out of 5]

Includes an informative biography of the great Sufi mystic and theologian Muhyideen Ibn 'Arabi, but is essentially a collection of brief biographies of various ascetics and mystics--both men and women--that Ibn 'Arabi met during his early years in Andalusia. A fascinating, fun, and inspiring read.

[Cuneyt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not much can be said when the author is Ibn Arabi. Truly inspiring. Loved it!