The Unlimited Mercifier : New,
The Spiritual Life and Thought of Ibn Arabi [d.630h],
*[A5+] Large Paperback - 304 pages,
by Stephen Hirtenstein,
Published by Anqa Publishing.




Description :


The Unlimited Mercifier presents a comprehensive portrait of Shaykh Muhiy al-Din Ibn al- ʿArabi's life and thought, highlighting his special place in history and his particular relevance in the modern world.


The book is a unique arrangement of biographical chapters alternating with chapters on major themes in his work. Divided into five sections, it includes :


    *** A full and up-to-date biography, drawn from Ibn ʿArabi's writings,
    *** A historical overview of the times in which he lived,
    *** An exploration of key themes in his teachings,
    *** Many new translations, with samples of his handwriting,
    *** Detailed maps and photographs of the places he visited,
    *** Appendices on his major works and contemporaries,
    *** Suggestions for further reading,
    *** Full notes, bibliography and index.


This highly readable and lucid book will appeal to anyone interested in the real heart of Sufism or the mystical path.




Shaykh al-Akhbar ibn al-'Arabi (555 - 630H) --- He is Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn al-'Arabi al-Hatimi al-Tai, entitled Muhyi al-Din ("Reviver of the Faith"), was born in Murcia in southern Spain (Andalucia), to an Arab family and educated in Seville. At twenty he already possessed profound spiritual insights. He journeyed through Arabia, Egypt, Asia Minor and elsewhere, and became a teacher of great renown.


Titled 'Shaykh al-Akhbar' - "The Greatest Shaykh", Ibn 'Arabi authored over 280 works, including his magnum opus, the twelve volume "Makkan Revelations" [Al-Futuhat al-Makkiya] an extensive compendium of Islam's esoteric sciences, the doctrines of tasawwuf and a diary of his own spiritual experiences surpassing anything of its kind.




Stephen Hirtenstein has been editor of the Journal of the Muhyiddin Ibn ʿArabi Society since its inception in 1982, and is a co-founder of Anqa Publishing. He read History at King's College, Cambridge, and then studied at the Beshara School of Intensive Esoteric Education in Gloucestershire and Scotland. After a teaching career, he began writing and giving talks on Ibn ʿArabi's thought at conferences across the world.


In addition to lecturing and writing, he organises and leads tours in the footsteps of Ibn ʿArabi.






Table of Contents :


---Acknowledgements,
---Preamble.

---Introduction,
------[1]. In Search of New Perspectives,
------[2]. Of Oneness and Singleness.

---Life in the West,
------[3]. Early Life [1165-1181],
------[4]. Of Adam and Eve,
------[5]. Return to God [1182 -1184],
------[6]. Of Prophethood and Sainthood,
------[7]. Under Instruction [1184-1194],
------[8]. Of Intermediaries and Their Removal.

---The Road to the Centre,
------[9]. Light Beyond the Shore,
------[10]. Of the Heirs and the Seals,
------[11]. Pilgrim at Mecca [1201-1204],   
------[12]. Of Descent and Return.
   
---From the Centre to the Circumference,
------[13]. Travelling and Advising [1202-1222],
------[14]. Of Love and Beauty.
   
---Established at the Crossroads,
------[15]. In Damascus [1223-1240],
------[16]. Of Book and Speech,
------[17]. Of East and West.
   
    
---Abbreviations,
---Notes.

---Appendix 1 : Selected major works of ibn al-Arabi,
---Appendix 2 : Some of ibn al-Arabi's contemporaries.

---Further Reading,
---Bibliography,
---Index.
   








More works of Shaykh ibn al-'Arabi.
Also see books on Sufism.

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*Dimensions : 23 x 15.5cm.