On Shaykh ul-Akbar Ibn’ al-Arabī

Ibn al-ʿArabī is arguably the most strenuous and sophisticated of all the Islamic Philosophers, and therefore, his works ought to be approached with the reverence that they deserve. The claim that (Ur’āfa’) [Mystics] were different from (Ahl al-Hukma’) [Philosphers] is a bogus claim. This is because of the denouncement and the denotation done by the “mut’akalīmūn” (theologians). This is the reason why the general or communals have a bias against the philosphers and they made the distinction between the mystics and Islamic-Philosphers, this was the case with Ibn’ Arabi as some who’re not known to his works deny that he had any contribution in these disciplines. So, In his (رسالة) [letter] to al-Razi he advises him that through intellect one cannot gain the knowledge of (ماهية) “ma’hīyyah” [Essence] of NB [Necessary Being] meaning God. But this requires a mystical lifestyle, as it is true. The existence can be precieved but the essence is unknown to us, which is agreed upon. Ibn’ Arabi wrote:

[أن يأخذ من فقير أصلاً، وكل ما لا كمال له إلا بغيره فهو فقير. وهذا حال كل ما سوى الله تعالى. فارفع الهمة في أن لا تأخذ علماً إلا من الله سبحانه على الكشف واليقين.]

Translation as follows: One should not take [something] from one which is basically, poor (faqīr) and everything that then itself does not has (kamāl) [Perfection] that is poor. Such is the condition of everything other than God. So he elevate So raise your determination your aspiration so that you only take knowledge from God by way of (kashf’) [unveiling]

Attaching the scans from original manuscript.