The Event of Miʻrāj as Interpreted (taʼwīl) by Ibn ‘Arabī in “Kitāb Al-Isrā 'ilā Maqām Al-Asrā”

Abstract

The dissertation identifies and describes the formal constraints of an idiosyncratic ascension of saints introduced by Ibn ‘Arabī in “The Book of the Nocturnal Journey towards the Majesty of the Most Magnanimous” composed in Fez (city of Spain) in 594 century. The study is based on the manuscripts from Maktabah al-Wataniyyah, no 6613, written in the ‘khat-e-Nasakh’, pages 137 and published in 970H from Paris. It was edited by Dr. Suād Hakīm in 1988 from Lebanon. The research has attempted to unveil Ibn ‘Arabī’s sociological, epistemological and logical aspects of ascension, conceivably unknown around the world, in continuation with, the possibility of occurrence and connectivity to the Prophet Muhammad’s pbuh ascension and other Prophets celestial journeys. The concept of a spiritual journey presented by Ibn‘Arabi provides vibrant interpretations of the spiritual journey in terms of metaphysical, theological and practical basis. His idea is typically associated with the concept of Wujūd and Wahdat al-wujūd in a theoretical context. Factually, that is the gradual expansion of the term of tawḥīd, intellect and self-realization in the quest of true knowledge regarding cosmos, God and human. Although the philosophical concept of unity of being is strongly ascribed to the school of Ibn ‘Arabī since it introduced, but the new scenario of research does not accept this vision. The thesis also will illustrate the compatibility of the concept of tawḥīd and wahdat between ‘Abd al-Qādir al-Jilānī (d. 561/1166) and Ibn ‘Arabī ‘s descriptions. However, in their DRSML QAU vii writings, both scholars had not used the term ‘wahdat al-wujūd’. They used different signs in securing the same purpose. The subtle secrets of ascension and realities support ibn ‘Arabī’s high theological approach of comparative religions. That is based on the universality of the Divine mercy as the source and ground of all Being. The societal dimension of ascension provides a framework of existence, though, apparently it seems just an ethical truth, but in reality, it is the Reality of Existence. That offers the neo- researchers to relocate new dimensions of spiritual ideologies of Ibn ‘Arabī, which are based on the concept of ‘the Perfect Man’ Al-Insān al-Kāmil (Prophet Muhammad pbuh), that could be fulfil the requirements of contemporary post-modernism period