The Sufi Path of Knowledge: Ibn al-Arabi's Metaphysics of Imagination

I am so glad I ordered this book. William C. Chittick is excellent in his interpretations and explanations of Ibn Al-Arabi's philosophical work. It has been an excellent but slow read for me as I digest the substance of Ibn Al-Arabi's work. I look forward to reading more of Ibn Al-Arabi's writings as I feel that he is one of the best Sufi Masters I have had the pleasure of studying...

Still reading before I pass this book on to one of Chittick's ex student. I have not much comment to make until I finish this book but it's a book you won't sit in front of the TV to multi task reading and watching. It's an exhilarating read so far. One must read with an open mind and be wowed.

In the Name of ALMIGHTY GOD,THE ONE, THE ABSOLUTE.By the Grace and Favour ofALMIGHTY GOD, THE ONE, THE ABSOLUTE,I am a Sufi Twelver Shia Schoolar, and I have the following to say about this book.By the Grace and Favour ofALMIGHTY GOD, THE ONE, THE ABSOLUTE, William Chittick is "a person with considerable Knowledge of Sufism". Unlike the Orientalists, who kwow nothing about Sufism though they pretend to know, Chittick's approach to Sufism can be considered as an Islamic approach to some extent. He knows what Sufi thought is and he presents his works on Sufism according to the Islamic perspective.This book is a must read for everyone who wants to be intruoduced to the thought of Ibn-e-Arabi.Exluding the Holy Prophets of God and the Greatest Muslim Saints , who are much higher thanIbn-e-Arabi, Ibn-e-Arabi is probably one of the greatest minds human civilization has produced in the last 2 thousand years!!Ibn-e-Arabi is not easy to be understood. Normaly, if you want to study Sufism, you need to be a student of a Muslim Sufi Master. Otherwise, you, with very rare exceptions, won't grasp the true meaning of Sufism.Chittick's book will introduce you to Ibn-e-Arabi but as I said above, if you want to dive into the depths of Ibn-e-Arabi's thought you will need a Muslim Sufi Master.Now, by the Grace and Favour ofALMIGHTY GOD, THE ONE, THE ABSOLUTE,I consider Ibn-e-Arabi to be a Muslim Saint. Not among the greatest Muslim Saints, but a Simple Muslim Saint.So, I strongly advise you that when you read the works attributed toIbn-e-Arabi, don't consider them to be "the Thought of Ibn-e-Arabi". Consider them "the Thought attributed to Ibn-e-Arabi".That's because, some of the books attributed toIbn-e-Arabi, contain heresies and blasphemys that are tottally against the Holy Quran, Islam's Holiest Book and the Source of all Islamic Knowledge. But because Ibn-e-Arabi is a Muslim Saint, he never said something against the Holy Quran. So, if you find anything in the works attributed to Ibn-e-Arabi that goes against the Holy Quran, then that was not written byIbn-e-Arabi, and is a forgery made by an ignorant person. If you find anything in the works attributed to Ibn-e-Arabi that matches the Holy Quran, then that was indeed said byIbn-e-Arabi and is true.The Fussus Al-Hikam, a book attributed toIbn-e-Arabi, with some exceptions, contains material that Islam considers Apostasy and Heresy. So you won't find any benefit in that book and it will confuse you.By the Grace and Favour ofALMIGHTY GOD, THE ONE, THE ABSOLUTE, here is something that was taught byIbn-e-Arabi and that match the Holy Quran:—The Concept of "WAHDATAL WUJUD", in English, "THE ONENESS OF BEING".Ignorant people falsely consider this to be Pantheism, or Panentheism or Monism!!But "WAHDATAL WUJUD" is pure Monotheism.It states that only GOD EXIST and only GOD IS PURE BEING, and everything else is non-existent. This does not deny the existence of the Cosmos and it's inhabitants (like the humans). "WAHDATAL WUJUD" means that GOD IS SO HIGH that:a) for HIM, it makes no difference if HIS creatures exist or not. GOD IS AS HE WAS before the Creation of the Cosmos;b) only GOD IS TOTTALY INDEPENDENT. HIS creatures are completely dependent on GOD;c) GOD AS HE IS, IS TOTTALLY UNKNOWABLE, and no creature knows HIM AS HE IS. We only know HIM AS HE SHOWED HIMSELF to us. We know HIM through HIS Names (such as The Incomparable, The Almighty, and so on) which are nothing in front of HIM, because HE TRANSCENDS INCOMPARABLY all HIS Names and all HIS creations;d) everything and everybody are absolutely nothing in front of GOD.—Everything in the Cosmos proves that:a) GOD EXISTS;b) GOD IS ONE. There is no deity except HIM;c) Everything and everybody are absolutely nothing in front of GOD;— ALMIGHTY GOD, THE ONE, THE ABSOLUTE, is neither body, nor spirit. HE IS THE CREATOR of body and spirit, and HE IS FAR ABOVE any concept of HIM, even the Lawful Concept of HIM presented in the Holy Scriptures;— ALMIGHTY GOD cannot be divided in parts. HE IS ABSOLUTE ONENESS;— The Perfect Man, in Arabic the "Insan Al-Kamil", though the greatest Creature of GOD, is just a slave of GOD, is absolutely nothing in front of GOD and contains nothing of the "HOLY BEING OF GOD".— the Perfect Man, though the greatest creature of GOD, still has to abide by the Holy Quran.There is a lot more to say about Ibn-e-Arabi, this fascinating personality, but by The Grace of GOD, I'll end here due to shortage of time.The reader will understand nothing of Sufism and other Islamic Sciences, unless he/she has a good Knowledge of the Holy Quran. So do read the Holy Quran and understand It's meanings.There is a very good translation of the Holy Quran in English called "The Study Quran", which was translated under the supervision of Sayyed Hussein Nasr and is available here at Amazon. This Copy of the Holy Quran has a long and very usefull commentary that will make you familiar with the Holy Book.Salutations to all.

Excellent source of knowledge of a very difficult but critical topic, one that is very useful for spirituality but also for philosophy and even physical sciences.

I am highly impressed with this book. The author has deep knowledge on the works of Ibn al-Arabi, Islam and Arabic. This book is invaluable for those who are interested in any aspect of the subject matter.

Superb exposition! Recommended for any student of Sufism and Islamic thought. Very clear, organized approach to this (Ibn al-'Arabi) master's metaphysics, which is incomparable.

Everithings was ok.

I bought this book for a friend who had requested it. Book arrived in excellent condition.