THE FOREIGN AND IMAGINAL IN IBN ARABI’S TURJUMAN AL-ASHWAQ

When Ibn ‘Arabi (d. 543/1240) met the late Muslim philosopher and eminent theologian Ibn Rushd, popularly known in the West as Averroes, “he stood up in his place out of love and respect.” Then, he embraced the youth and exclaimed: “Yes!” To which the young mystic unhesitatingly responded: “Yes.” Some historical records informed us that the Aristotelian philosopher wanted to see Ibn ‘Arabi as he heard of his kashf (lit. unveiling) – a spiritual station he savoured during his spiritual retreat.

THE FOREIGN AND IMAGINAL IN IBN ARABI’S TURJUMAN AL-ASHWAQ

When Ibn ‘Arabi (d. 543/1240) met the late Muslim philosopher and eminent theologian Ibn Rushd, popularly known in the West as Averroes, “he stood up in his place out of love and respect.” Then, he embraced the youth and exclaimed: “Yes!” To which the young mystic unhesitatingly responded: “Yes.” Some historical records informed us that the Aristotelian philosopher wanted to see Ibn ‘Arabi as he heard of his kashf (lit. unveiling) – a spiritual station he savoured during his spiritual retreat.

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  • Knysh, Alexander. Islamic Mysticism: A Short History. Leiden: Brill, 2000.