Ibn al-Arabi : The Bezels of Wisdom

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Ibn al-Arabi - The Bezels of Wisdom,
[A5] Paperback - 302 pages,
by Shaykh Muhiy'ud-Din ibn al-Arabi,
Translated by: R.W.J Austin,
Preface by: Titus Burkhardt,
Part of ''The Classics of Western Spirituality'' Series.

Description :

"The book portrays the wisdom of love through Abraham, of the unseen through Job, of light through Joseph, of intimacy through Elias and so on. Ibn Al-'Arabi, may Allah be pleased with him, invites us in these pages to explore the inner spiritual meanings of the Qur'an, its heartfelt meanings. In one of his poems he stated, ... "Love is the creed I hold : wherever turns His camels, Love is still my creed and faith."

Ibn Al’-Arabi : The Bezels of Wisdom .... translation and introduction by R.W.J. Austin, preface by Titus Burckardt -

                     "It is from God, so hear!
   And to God do you return!
                       When you hear what
   I bring, learn!
                       Then with understanding see
   The details in the whole
                       And also see them as part of the whole.
                       Then give it to those
     Who seek it, and stint not.
                       This is the mercy that
                       Encompasses you; so extend it.''

Shaykh ibn Al-'Arabi, [1165-1240] - Called by Muslims "the greatest Master," (Shaykh al-Akbar). Ibn Al-'Arabi, May Allah be pleased with him, was a Sufi, born in twelfth-century Spain. The Bezels of Wisdom was written during the author's later years and was intended to be a synthesis of his spiritual doctrine.

Bezel means a setting in which a gem, engraved with one's name, is set to make a seal ring. The setting in which Ibn Al-'Arabi, May Allah be pleased with him, has placed his spiritual wisdom are the lives of the Prophets. It was in Damascus that he had the vision that prompted him to write this book. He describes it in his preface: "I saw the Apostle of God in a visitation…He had in his hand a book and he said to me, 'This is the book of the bezels of Wisdom; take it and bring it to men that they might benefit from it.'

"Classics in a classic collection...clearly a must for all libraries, from the university to the small town, and for all readers interested in spirituality..." _{---Religious Studies Review.}

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