Divine Sayings: The Mishkat al-Anwar of Ibn 'Arabi (Hardcover)

by Muhyiddin Ibn 'Arabi (Author), Stephen Hirtenstein (Translator), Martin Notcutt (Translator) "O My servants, I have forbidden injustice to Myself and I have made it forbidden amongst you..." (more)
Key Phrases: Abu Hurayra, Day of Resurrection, Messenger of God (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Much of the early scholarship on Ibn 'Arabi focused on his contributions to the intellectual sciences, especially metaphysics and spiritual psychology. Only gradually have scholars come to acknowledge the extent of his immersion in the transmitted sciences such as Quran and jurisprudence. As for Hadith, it is difficult to overestimate the importance that he gives to the field. One must always keep in mind that his goal was to make the fullness of 'Muhammadan' sanctity more accessible, that is, the whole range of spiritual perfections realized by Muhammad in act, word, and inner reality. As he says in a typical passage, 'Our vision of God in the Muhammadan form through the Muhammadan vision is the most complete vision that there may be. So we never cease encouraging people to achieve it, both orally and in this book' (Futuhat IV 184). In many ways it is the Hadith, Muhammad's own words, that provide seekers with the most immediate access to the Muhammadan form. Stephen Hirtenstein and Martin Notcutt have produced in Divine Sayings a beautifully translated version of Ibn 'Arabi's best known collection of Hadith, based not only on the published Arabic text but also several important manuscripts, with full scholarly apparatus. They have done a great service to all those who would like to gaze upon the Muhammadan form though the eyes of al-Shaykh al-Akbar. - William C. Chittick, Stony Brook University; This classic collection (and first critical edition) of 101 memorable 'Divine Sayings' related by the Prophet, translated in full for the first time in English, is not just an indispensable key to the teachings of Ibn 'Arabi and the wider traditions of Islamic spirituality. These short sayings are also a simple, direct, immediately accessible summary of the most universal spiritual lessons: the all-encompassing primacy of God's Love and Compassion; the corresponding human tasks of attentiveness, perseverance, and true service; the practical centrality of purified intention and constant remembrance - and the interaction of all those elements at each stage along our spiritual path. - James W. Morris, University of Exeter

Review

"Stephen Hirtenstein and Martin Notcutt have produced in Divine Sayings a beautifully translated version of Ibn 'Arabi's best known collection of Hadith, based not only on the published Arabic text but also several important manuscripts, with full scholarly apparatus."  —William C. Chittick, professor, Stony Brook University

"This classic collection (and first critical edition) of 101 memorable Divine Sayings' related by the Prophet, translated in full for the first time in English, is not just an indispensable key to the teachings of Ibn 'Arabi and the wider traditions of Islamic spirituality. These short sayings are also a simple, direct, immediately accessible summary of the most universal spiritual lessons."  —James W. Morris, professor, Boston College

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Anqa Publishing; illustrated edition edition (April 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0953451356
• ISBN-13: 978-0953451357
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,133,438 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #34 in

  Books > Religion & Spirituality > Islam > Hadith

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A magnificent book! , August 5, 2005

By	Simply a reader - See all my reviews

This book is quite simply a remarkable and amazing book. If you don't know anything about Islam, start with this book. If you thought you knew a thing or two about Islam, read this book and you will discover a whole lot that you had no clue about. If you know a lot about Islam, either as a muslim or a non-muslim, and haven't read this book, read it and you will discover dimensions that you never knew existed. The translation is superb, and its publication has been done in a most scholarly fashion which meets the highest standards. For those who are familiar with classical Arabic, you can find the entire Arabic version printed beautifully to your delight. Do yourself a very big favor and start reading this book as soon as possible. My most sincere thanks to the translators of this book.