The Four Pillars of Spiritual Transformation: The Adornment of the Spiritually Transformed (Hilyat al-abdal) (Mystical Treatises of Muhyiddin Ibn 'Ara) [Paperback]

Ibn 'Arabi (Author), Stephen Hirtenstein (Translator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1905937040 | ISBN-13: 978-1905937042 | Publication Date: June 1, 2009 | Edition: Bilingual

Objective and illuminating, this treatise, written by Sufi leader Muhyiddin Ibn 'Arabi, presents a fundamental analysis of spiritual practice. Underscoring the importance of silence, seclusion, hunger, and vigilance, this guide demonstrates that these activities are both physical and spiritual. Providing the necessary tools for an enlightened life, this dual-language edition incorporates the first critical edition of the Arabic text, gathered from the best-surviving manuscripts. An introduction, and translation of chapter 53 of the renowned Futuhat al-Makkiyya, are also included.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[Ibn 'Arabi] profoundly influenced all subsequent Sufi teaching and thus stands as the most important link between the Sufis who went before him and those who came after him."  —Ralph Austin, translator, Sufis of Andalusia

"The greatest mystical genius of the Arabs"  —A. J. Arberry, author, Sufism

"One of Ibn 'Arabi's most accessible and widely studied works, the Hilyat al-abdal, highlights the practical foundation of spiritual discipline underlying all of his metaphysical and theological writings."  —Professor James Winston Morris, Boston College

About the Author

Muhyiddin Ibn 'Arabi was an eminent Sufi mystic and teacher in the Moorish culture of Andalusian Spain during the 12th century. Stephen Hirtenstein is the editor of the journal of the Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi Society and a director of Anqa Publishing. He is the translator of Divine Sayings, the cotranslator of The Seven Days of the Heart, and the author of The Unlimited Mercifier.

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Anqa Publishing; Bilingual edition (June 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1905937040
• ISBN-13: 978-1905937042
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #595,415 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Greatest Shaykh, January 16, 2011

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G-Man "G-Man" (London, UK) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Four Pillars of Spiritual Transformation: The Adornment of the Spiritually Transformed (Hilyat al-abdal) (Mystical Treatises of Muhyiddin Ibn 'Ara) (Paperback)

There is a reason why Ibn Arabi is referred to as the Greatest Shaykh. Whether one is a Shi'ite or a Sunni, one cannot help but notice the wisdom that overflows from every page he writes. This particle treatise is very brief-- about 15 pages or so once you get past the translator's introduction, appendices etc. In the treatise, Ibn Arabi discusses his 4 pillars of knowledge-- silence, seclusion, hunger and vigilance-- and in a short space discusses how one uses these to move the soul in a particular direction. As with all of the Shaykh al-Akbar's works, his brevity most certainly does not entail a lack of detail. His writing works on a great number of levels and requires a tremendous amount of reflection in order for the reader to fully benefit from it. Well worth the read.