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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Important Introduction,
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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,
By
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,
By
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.
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