The Unlimited Mercifier: The Spiritual Life and Thoughts of Ibn 'Arabi [Paperback]

Stephen Hirtenstein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1999

This is the first full introduction written for a general audience to the life and teachings of Ibn 'Arabi (1165-1240), regarded as the greatest mystical thinker in the history of Islam and known in the Islamic world as al-Shaykh al-Akbar (the Greatest Master).

White Cloud Press, in a joint publishing effort with Anqa Publishing in the United Kingdom, presents the first in a series of books on the life and teachings of Ibn 'Arabi. Relatively unknown in the West until the 20th century, he has been revered by Sufi mystics ever since he first burst upon the Islamic world at the turn of the 13th century. He wrote over 350 books and treatises that are recognized as classics of world spirituality.

The Unlimited Mercifier is a new appreciation of Ibn 'Arabi, clarifying the meanings and relevance of his life and thought. It serves as a thorough introduction for those new to his work, as well as providing food for contemplation and further study for those alre! ady familiar with his genius.

Divided into five sections, the book consists of seventeen alternating chapters of biography and thought. The biographical chapters chart the historical trajectory of his life, using his own descriptions as well as the latest research, and are richly illustrated with photographs and maps. Every second chapter discusses a facet of his thought, demonstrating Ibn 'Arabi's immediate relevance to our modern era.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An important contribution . . . a clear, full, and unusually comprehensible account of a thinker who is notoriously difficult to translate" —Ralph Austin

About the Author

Stephen Hirtenstein is editor of the Muhyiddin Ibn 'Arabi Society Journal the and co-founder of Anqa Publishing. He has been studying the works of Ibn 'Arabi since 1973.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Anqa Publishing (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883991293
• ISBN-13: 978-1883991296
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #672,034 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Important Introduction, June 5, 2001

By 

P. Nagy "revreader" (Chapel Hill, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Unlimited Mercifier: The Spiritual Life and Thoughts of Ibn 'Arabi (Paperback)

As the first full introduction written for a general audience about the life and significance of Ibn 'Arabi (1165-1240), this volume long fills an acute gap in the general literature about Sufism in English. Ibn `Arabi can rightly be regarded as the greatest mystical thinker in the history of Islam and as might be extrapolated from this study, perhaps some future global mysticism that is inter-sectarian. In the Islamic world Ibn 'Arabi is often referred to honorifically as al-Shaykh al-Akbar (the Greatest Master). Among the literalists and reactionary legalists in Islam the profound readings of the Qur'an and hadith, that is the staple of just about everything the Shaykh al-Akbar' wrote, is regarded with shrewd suspicion, if not outright hostility and censor. Among a core of Sufis the Shaykh al-Akbar's works have been savored with a relish and delight as often his lengthy considerations show a nearly unfathomable grasp for the living presence of the divine in all aspects of life. Any mystic can find much to ponder in a studied reading of Ibn 'Arabi's texts. For the many Christians and some Jews who are still perhaps unconsciously swayed by the centuries of anti-Islamic polemic in the west, an astute reading of Shaykh al-Akbar's work should banish many of the silly sectarian ideas that cling to our ideas about Islam. Muslims themselves are still extreamly divided over the worth of Shaykh al-Akbar's views and common misattributions to him of pantheism and even incarnationism are still common slurs betraying a willful misreading of Shaykh al-Akbar's ideas. Though it is unlikely that The Unlimited Mercifier will seriously affect this perennial debate about Shaykh al-Akbar's ultimate worth as a Muslim, Hirtenstein does offer a useful introduction to ibn `Arabi that has not existed in English before. I believe that as scholarly work proceeds on translating the profound depth of Islam as a spiritual path toward knowing self and the divine will become more widely appreciated. The perspective of Shaykh al-Akbar, acknowledged and not, definitely sets the standard of any spiritual reading of the Qur'an. Also in the emerging world spirituality ibn `Arabi may yet play an unique role is forging a link between the monotheisms of the west to the pantheisms and non-theisms of the east and of a rationalist scientific humanisms of modernity. The Unlimited Mercifier provides not only an introduction to the life and ideas of ibn `Arabi but without too strong a reading between the lines that the importance and perennial relevance of Shaykh al-Akbar's ideas for emerging global civilization become apparent. Given this breath I highly recommend this introduction and eventually a closer consideration of the of Shaykh al-Akbar's works as available in the works reviewed below. Special note of SUFI PATH OF KNOWLEDGE and SELF-DISCLOSURE OF GOD by William C. Chittick should be noted by sincere students.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exemplary, February 11, 2001

By 

M. Gleason (San Leandro, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Unlimited Mercifier: The Spiritual Life and Thoughts of Ibn 'Arabi (Paperback)

This book is an excellent introduction to the writings and life of a man who's understanding was not limited by time, culture, nor a particular tradition. Unusual for books written on this subject, it is readily accessible to new readers of Ibn Arabi as well as to scholars. The book could easily serve as an introduction to a spiritual perspective of life that includes the underlying basis of all religions and philosophies, excludes none of them, and goes beyond particular expressions to the heart of the matter of what it is to be human. It introduces the reader to a universal spiritual perspective of life regardless of their level of education, their cultural or traditional background. The book is very hard to put down and can be read many times over.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An undisputably profound introduction to the hidden truth, June 23, 2009

By 

tara - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Unlimited Mercifier: The Spiritual Life and Thoughts of Ibn 'Arabi (Paperback)

If I may humbly contribute my opinion among all scholars and critics:

For all who search for Truth, God, whatever names we invent for our hidden desire to recognize what we are and what is around us: This deep thinker and mystic is among the greatest, along with Francis of Assisi. To try to label and critizice him or this book in religious terms is a sign of not wanting to accept what you can learn from this incredible searcher for truth.

Read this book, preferably after some meditation, in order to be more connected to your inner Self than to your critical brain that rejects all that cannot be explained rationally!

Even if you look into this book just out of curiosity, or historical interest, it will give you much insight into the many roots the present-day European, and Western culture had in Spain at Ibn `Arabi's time.