ON TASAWWUF Ibn `Ata' Allah al-Iskandari (d. 709) The ebate !

ith Ibn Ta"#i""a One $% the &reat s'%i i#a#s !h$ !as als$ kn$!n as a #'haddith( )rea*her( and +aliki ,'rist( Ab' al-Fadl Ibn `Ata Allah al-Iskandari (d. 709) is the a'th$r $% al--ika# (A)h$ris#s)( +i%tah al-%alah (The ke" t$ s'**ess)( al-.asd al#',arrad %i #a`ri%at al-is# al-#'%rad (The )'re &$al *$n*ernin& kn$!led&e $% the Uni/'e Na#e)( Ta, al-`ar's al-ha!i li tadhhib al-n'%'s (The bride's *r$!n *$ntainin& the dis*i)line $% s$'ls)( `Un!an al-ta!%i/ %i adab al-tari/ (The si&n $% s'**ess *$n*ernin& the dis*i)line $% the )ath)( the bi$&ra)hi*al al-0ata'i% %i #ana/ib Abi al-`Abbas al-+'rsi !a sha"khihi Abi al--asan (The s'btle blessin&s in the saintl" li1es $% Ab' al-`Abbas al-+'rsi and his #aster Ab' al-asan al-Shadhili)( and $thers. -e !as Ab' al-`Abbas al-+'rsi's (d. 232) st'dent and the se*$nd s'**ess$r $% the S'%i %$'nder( I#a# Ab' al--asan alShadhili. Ibn `Ata' Allah !as $ne $% th$se !h$ *$n%r$nted Ibn Ta"#i""a %$r his e4*esses in atta*kin& th$se $% the S'%is !ith !h$# he disa&reed. -e ne1er re%ers t$ Ibn Ta"#i""a b" na#e in his !$rks( b't it is *learl" $% hi# that he s)eaks !hen he sa"s( in his 0ata'i%( that Allah has )'t the S'%is t$ the test thr$'&h !hat he ter#s 5the s*h$lars $% e4ternal learnin&.56 In the )a&es bel$! are the %irst 7n&lish translati$n $% a hist$ri*al a**$'nt !hi*h t$$k )la*e bet!een the t!$. Te4t $% the ebate Fr$# Us'l al-W's'lb" +'ha##ad 8aki Ibrahi# Ibn 9athir( Ibn al-Athir( and $ther a'th$rs $% bi$&ra)hi*al di*ti$naries and bi$&ra)hies ha1e trans#itted t$ 's this a'thenti* hist$ri*al debate.: It &i1es an idea $% the ethi*s $% debate a#$n& the )e$)le $% learnin&. It d$*'#ents the *$ntr$1ers" bet!een a )i1$tal )ers$nalit" in tasa!!'%( Sha"kh Ah#ad Ibn Ata' Allah al-Iskandari( and an e/'all" i#)$rtant )ers$n $% the s$-*alled 5Sala%i5 #$1e#ent( Sha"kh Ah#ad Ibn `Abd al--ali# Ibn Ta"#i""a d'rin& the +a#l'ke era in 7&")t 'nder the rei&n $% the S'ltan +'ha##ad Ibn .ala!'n (al-+alik al-Nasir). The Testi#$n" $% Ibn Ta"#i""a t$ Ibn `Ata' Allah; Sha"kh Ibn Ta"#i""a had been i#)ris$ned in Ale4andria. When the S'ltan )ard$ned hi#( he *a#e ba*k t$ <air$. At the ti#e $% the e1enin& )ra"er he !ent t$ al-A=har #$s/'e !here salat al-#a&hrib !as bein& led b" Sha"kh Ah#ad Ibn `Ata Allah alIskandari. F$ll$!in& the )ra"er( Ibn `Ata' Allah !as s'r)rised t$ dis*$1er that Ibn Ta"#i""a had been )ra"in& behind hi#. >reetin& hi# !ith a s#ile( the S'%i sha"kh *$rdiall" !el*$#ed Ibn Ta"#i""a's arri1al t$ <air$( sa"in&; 5asSala#' ala"k'#5. Then Ibn `Ata' Allah started t$ talk !ith the learned 1isit$r. Ibn `Ata' Allah; 5Ordinaril"( I )ra" the e1enin& )ra"er in the +$s/'e $% I#a# -'sa"n and the ni&ht )ra"er here. ?'t l$$k h$! the i1ine )lan !$rks itsel% $'t@ Allah has $rdained that I sh$'ld be the %irst $ne t$ &reet "$' (a%ter "$'r ret'rn t$ <air$). Tell #e( O %a/ih( d$ "$' bla#e #e %$r !hat ha))enedA Ibn Ta"#i""a; 5I kn$! "$' intended #e n$ har#( b't $'r di%%eren*es $% $)ini$n still stand. In an" *ase( !h$e1er has har#ed #e in an" !a"( %r$# this

da" $n I hereb" e4$nerate and %ree hi# %r$# an" bla#e in the #atter.5 Ibn `Ata' Allah; 5What is it "$' kn$! ab$'t #e( Sha"kh Ibn Ta"#i""aA5 Ibn Ta"#i""a; 5I kn$! "$' t$ be a #an $% s*r')'l$'s )iet"( ab'ndant learnin&( inte&rit" and tr'th%'lness in s)ee*h. I bear !itness that I ha1e seen n$ $ne like "$' either in 7&")t $r S"ria !h$ l$1es Allah #$re n$r !h$ is #$re sel%e%%a*in& in -i# n$r !h$ is #$re $bedient in *arr"in& $'t !hat -e has *$##anded and in re%rainin& %r$# !hat -e has %$rbidden. Ne1ertheless( !e ha1e $'r di%%eren*es. What d$ "$' kn$! ab$'t #eA Are "$' *lai#in& that I a# #is&'ided !hen I den" the 1alidit" $% *allin& $n an"$ne sa1e Allah %$r aid (isti&hatha)A5 Ibn `Ata' Allah; 5S'rel"( #" dear *$llea&'e( "$' kn$! that isti&hatha $r *allin& %$r hel) is the sa#e as ta!ass'l $r seekin& a #eans and askin& %$r inter*essi$n (sha%a`a)B and that the +essen&er( $n hi# be )ea*e( is the $ne !h$se hel) is s$'&ht sin*e he is $'r #eans and he the $ne !h$se inter*essi$n !e seek.5 Ibn Ta"#i""a; 5In this #atter( I %$ll$! !hat the Cr$)het's S'nna has laid d$!n in the Shari`a. F$r it has been trans#itted in a s$'nd hadith; 5I ha1e been &ranted the )$!er $% inter*essi$n.5D I ha1e als$ *$lle*ted the sa"in&s $n the .'r'ani* 1erse; 5It #a" be that th" 0$rd !ill raise thee (O Cr$)het) t$ a )raised estate5 (67;79) t$ the e%%e*t that the 5)raised estate5 is inter*essi$n. +$re$1er( !hen the #$ther $% the <$##ander $% the Faith%'l `Ali died( the Cr$)het )ra"ed t$ Allah at her &ra1e and said;O Allah !h$ li1es and ne1er dies( !h$ /'i*kens and )'ts t$ death( %$r&i1e the sins $% #" #$ther Fati#a bint Asad( #ake !ide the )la*e !herein she enters thr$'&h the inter*essi$n $% #e( Th" Cr$)het( and the Cr$)hets !h$ *a#e be%$re #e. F$r Th$' art the #$st #er*i%'l $% th$se *a)able $% ha1in& #er*".E This is the inter*essi$n that bel$n&s t$ the Cr$)het( $n hi# be )ea*e. As %$r seekin& the hel) $% s$#e$ne $ther than Allah( it s#a*ks $% id$latr"B %$r the Cr$)het *$##anded his *$'sin `Abd Allah ibn `Abbas n$t t$ ask $% an"$ne t$ hel) hi# $ther than Allah.5F Ibn `Ata' Allah; +a" Allah *a'se "$' t$ )r$s)er( O %a/ih@ As %$r the ad1i*e !hi*h the Cr$)het -- $n hi# be )ea*e -- &a1e t$ his *$'sin Ibn Abbas( he !anted hi# t$ dra! near t$ Allah n$t thr$'&h his %a#ilial relati$nshi) t$ the Cr$)het b't thr$'&h his kn$!led&e. With re&ard t$ "$'r 'nderstandin& $% isti&hatha as bein& seekin& the aid $% s$#e$ne $ther than Allah !hi*h is id$latr"( I ask "$'; Is there an" +'sli# )$ssessed $% real %aith and belie1in& in Allah and -is Cr$)het !h$ thinks there is s$#e$ne $ther than Allah !h$ has a't$n$#$'s )$!er $1er e1ents and !h$ is able t$ *arr" $'t !hat -e has !illed !ith re&ard t$ the#A Is there an" tr'e belie1er !h$ belie1es that there is s$#e$ne !h$ *an re!ard hi# %$r his &$$d deeds and )'nish hi# %$r his bad $nes $ther than AllahA ?esides this( !e #'st *$nsider that there are e4)ressi$ns !hi*h sh$'ld n$t be taken ,'st in their literal sense. This is n$t be*a'se $% %ear $% ass$*iatin& a )artner !ith Allah and in $rder t$ bl$*k the #eans t$ id$latr". F$r !h$e1er

seeks hel) %r$# the Cr$)het $nl" seeks his )$!er $% inter*essi$n !ith Allah as !hen "$' "$'rsel% sa"; 5This %$$d satis%ies #" a))etite.5 $es the %$$d itsel% satis%" "$'r a))etiteA Or is it the *ase that it is Allah !h$ satis%ies "$'r a))etite thr$'&h the %$$dA As %$r "$'r state#ent that Allah has %$rbidden +'sli#s t$ *all ')$n an"$ne $ther than -i#sel% in seekin& hel)( ha1e "$' a*t'all" seen an" +'sli# *allin& $n s$#e$ne $ther than AllahA The 1erse "$' *ite %r$# the .'r'an !as re1ealed *$n*ernin& the id$laters and th$se !h$ 'sed t$ *all $n their %alse &$ds and i&n$re Allah. Whereas( the $nl" !a" +'sli#s seek the hel) $% the Cr$)het is in the sense $% ta!ass'l $r seekin& a #eans( b" 1irt'e $% the )ri1ile&e he has re*ei1ed %r$# Allah (bi ha//ihi `inda Allah)( and tasha%%'` $r seekin& inter*essi$n( b" 1irt'e $% the )$!er $% inter*essi$n !hi*h Allah has best$!ed $n hi#. As %$r "$'r )r$n$'n*e#ent that isti&hatha $r seekin& hel) is %$rbidden in the Shari`a be*a'se it *an lead t$ id$latr"( i% this is the *ase( then !e $'&ht als$ t$ )r$hibit &ra)es be*a'se the" are #eans t$ #akin& !ine( and t$ *astrate 'n#arried #en be*a'se n$t t$ d$ s$ lea1es in the !$rld a #eans t$ *$##it %$rni*ati$n and ad'lter".5 At the latter *$##ent b$th the sha"khs la'&hed. Ibn `Ata Allah *$ntin'ed; 5I a# a*/'ainted !ith the all-in*l'si1eness and %$resi&ht $% the le&al s*h$$l %$'nded b" "$'r Sha"kh( I#a# Ah#ad( and kn$! the *$#)rehensi1eness $% "$'r $!n le&al the$r" and ab$'t its )rin*i)le $% bl$*kin& the #eans t$ e1il (sadd al-dhara'i`) as !ell as the sense $% #$ral $bli&ati$n a #an $% "$'r )r$%i*ien*" in Isla#i* ,'ris)r'den*e and inte&rit" #'st %eel. ?'t I reali=e als$ that "$'r kn$!led&e $% lan&'a&e de#ands that "$' sear*h $'t the hidden #eanin&s $% !$rds !hi*h are $%ten shr$'ded behind their $b1i$'s senses. As %$r the S'%is( #eanin& %$r the# is like a s)irit( and the !$rds the#sel1es are like its b$d". G$' #'st )enetrate dee)l" int$ !hat is behind the 1erbal b$d" in $rder t$ sei=e the dee)er realit" $% the !$rd's s)irit. N$! "$' ha1e %$'nd a basis in "$'r r'lin& a&ainst Ibn `Arabi in the F's's alhika#( the te4t $% !hi*h has been ta#)ered !ith b" his $))$nents n$t $nl" !ith thin&s he did n$t sa"( b't !ith state#ents he *$'ld n$t e1en ha1e intended sa"in& (&i1en the *hara*ter $% his Isla#). When Sha"kh al-Isla# al`I== ibn `Abd al-Sala# 'nderst$$d !hat Sha"kh Ibn `Arabi had a*t'all" said and anal"=ed( &ras)ed and *$#)rehended the real #eanin& $% his s"#b$li* 'tteran*es( he asked Allah's )ard$n %$r his %$r#er $)ini$n ab$'t the Sha"kh and a*kn$!led&ed that +'h"iddin ibn `Arabi !as an I#a# $% Isla#.2 As %$r the state#ent $% al-Shadhili a&ainst Ibn Arabi( "$' sh$'ld kn$! that Ab' al--asan al-Shadhili is n$t the )ers$n !h$ said it b't $ne $% the st'dents $% the Shadhili""a. F'rther#$re( in #akin& this state#ent that st'dent !as talkin& ab$'t s$#e $% the %$ll$!ers $% Shadhili. Th's( his !$rds !ere taken in a %ashi$n he hi#sel% ne1er intended. 5What d$ "$' think ab$'t the <$##ander $% the Faith%'l( Sa""idina `Ali ibn Abi Talib( #a" Allah be )leased !ith hi#A5 Ibn Ta"#i""a; In the hadith the Cr$)het( $n hi# be )ea*e( said; 5I a# the *it" $% kn$!led&e and `Ali is its d$$r.57 Sa""idina `Ali is the $ne #',ahid !h$

ne1er !ent $'t t$ battle e4*e)t t$ ret'rn 1i*t$ri$'sl". What s*h$lar $r ,'rist !h$ *a#e a%ter hi# str'&&led %$r the sake $% Allah 'sin& t$n&'e( )en and s!$rd at the sa#e ti#eA -e !as a #$st a**$#)lished <$#)ani$n $% the Cr$)het -- #a" Allah h$n$r his *$'ntenan*e. -is !$rds are a radiant la#) !hi*h ha1e ill'#ined #e d'rin& the entire *$'rse $% #" li%e a%ter the .'r'an and S'nna. Ah@ $ne !h$ is e1er sh$rt $% )r$1isi$n and l$n& in his ,$'rne"in&. Ibn `Ata' Allah; N$!( did I#a# `Ali ask an"$ne t$ take his side in a %a*ti$nA F$r this %a*ti$n has *lai#ed that the An&el >abriel #ade a #istake and deli1ered the re1elati$n t$ +'ha##ad -- $n hi# be )ea*e instead $% `Ali@ Or did he ask the# t$ *lai# that Allah had be*$#e in*arnate in his b$d" and the I#a# had be*$#e di1ineA Or did he n$t %i&ht and sla" the# and &i1e a %at!a (le&al $)ini$n) that the" sh$'ld be killed !here1er the" !ere %$'ndA Ibn Ta"#i""a; 5On the basis $% this 1er" %at!a( I !ent $'t t$ %i&ht the# in the #$'ntains $% S"ria %$r #$re than ten "ears. Ibn `Ata' Allah; And I#a# Ah#ad -- #a" Allah be )leased !ith hi# -/'esti$ned the a*ti$ns $% s$#e $% his %$ll$!ers !h$ !ere in the habit $% &$in& $n )atr$ls( breakin& $)en *asks $% !ine (in the sh$)s $% their <hristian 1end$rs $r !here1er the" %ind the#)( s)illin& their *$ntents $n the %l$$r( beatin& ') sin&in& &irls( and *$n%r$ntin& )e$)le in the street. All $% this the" did in the na#e $% en,$inin& &$$d and )r$hibitin& !hat is %$rbidden. -$!e1er( the I#a# had n$t &i1en an" %at!a that the" sh$'ld *ens're $r reb'ke all th$se )e$)le. <$nse/'entl"( these %$ll$!ers $% his !ere %l$&&ed( thr$!n int$ ,ail( and )araded #$'nted $n assba*k %a*in& the tail. N$!( is I#a# Ah#ad hi#sel% res)$nsible %$r the bad beha1i$r !hi*h the !$rst and #$st 1i*i$'s -anbalis *$ntin'e t$ )er)etrate ri&ht d$!n t$ $'r $!n da"( in the na#e $% en,$inin& &$$d and )r$hibitin& !hat is %$rbiddenA All this is t$ sa" that Sha"kh +'h"iddin Ibn `Arabi is inn$*ent !ith res)e*t t$ !hat th$se $% his %$ll$!ers d$ !h$ abs$l1e )e$)le $% le&al and #$ral $bli&ati$ns set d$!n b" the reli&i$n and %r$# *$##ittin& deeds that are )r$hibited. $ "$' n$t see thisA Ibn Ta"#i""a; 5?'t !here d$ the" stand !ith res)e*t t$ AllahA A#$n& "$' S'%is are th$se !h$ assert that !hen the Cr$)het -- $n hi# be )ea*e -- &a1e &lad tidin&s t$ the )$$r and said that the" !$'ld enter )aradise be%$re the ri*h( the )$$r %ell int$ e*stas" and be&an t$ tear their &ar#ents int$ )ie*esB that at that #$#ent the An&el >abriel des*ended %r$# hea1en and said t$ the Cr$)het that Allah had s$'&ht his ri&ht%'l )$rti$n %r$# a#$n& these t$rn &ar#entsB and that the An&el Hibril *arried $ne $% the# and h'n& it $n Allah's thr$ne. F$r this reas$n( the" *lai#( S'%is !ear )at*h!$rked &ar#ents and *all the#sel1es %'/ara' $r the 5)$$r5@ Ibn `Ata' Allah; 5N$t all S'%is !ear )at*h!$rked 1ests and *l$thin&. -ere I a# be%$re "$'; !hat d$ "$' disa))r$1e $% in #" a))earan*eA5 Ibn Ta"#i""a; 5G$' are %r$# the #en $% Shari`a and tea*h in al-A=har.5 Ibn `Ata' Allah; 5al->ha=ali !as e/'all" an I#a# b$th in Shari`a and tasa!!'%. -e treated le&al r'lin&s( the S'nna( and the Shari'a !ith the s)irit $% the S'%i. And b" a))l"in& this #eth$d he !as able t$ re1i1e the reli&i$'s

s*ien*es. We kn$! that tasa!!'% re*$&ni=es that !hat is s'llied has n$ )art in reli&i$n and that *leanliness has the *hara*ter $% %aith. The tr'e and sin*ere s'%i #'st *'lti1ate in his heart the %aith re*$&ni=ed b" the Ahl al-S'nna. T!$ *ent'ries a&$ the 1er" )hen$#ena $% )se'd$-S'%is a))eared !hi*h "$' "$'rsel% *riti*i=e and re,e*t. There !ere )ers$ns !h$ s$'&ht t$ di#inish the )er%$r#an*e $% !$rshi) and reli&i$'s $bli&ati$ns( li&hten %astin& and belittle the %i1e dail" )ra"ers. The" ran !ild int$ the 1ast arenas $% sl$th and heedlessness( *lai#in& that the" had been liberated %r$# the sha*kles $% the sla1er" $% di1ine !$rshi). N$t satis%ied !ith their $!n 1ile deeds 'ntil the" ha1e *lai#ed inti#ati$ns $% the #$st e4tra1a&ent realities and #"sti*al states ,'st as I#a# al-.'sha"ri hi#sel% des*ribed in his !ell-kn$!n Iisala( !hi*h he dire*ted a&ainst the#. -e als$ set d$!n in detail !hat *$nstit'ted the tr'e )ath t$ Allah( !hi*h *$nsists in takin& a %ir# h$ld ')$n the .'r'an and the S'nna. The I#a#s $% tasa!!'% desire t$ arri1e at the tr'e realit" n$t $nl" b" #eans $% rati$nal e1iden*es th$'&ht ') b" the h'#an #ind !hi*h are *a)able $% bein& %alse as !ell as tr'e( b't b" #eans $% )'ri%"in& the heart and )'r&in& the e&$ thr$'&h a *$'rse $% s)irit'al e4er*ises. The" *ast aside *$n*erns %$r the li%e $% this !$rld inas#'*h as the tr'e ser1ant $% Allah d$es n$t b's" hi#sel% !ith an"thin& else e4*e)t l$1e $% Allah and -is Cr$)het. This is a hi&h $rder $% b'siness and $ne !hi*h #akes a ser1ant )i$'s and health" and )r$s)er$'s. It is an $**')ati$n that re%$r#s th$se thin&s that *$rr')t the h'#an *reat're( s'*h as l$1e $% #$ne" and a#biti$n %$r )ers$nal standin& in s$*iet". -$!e1er( it is an $rder $% b'siness !hi*h is *$nstit'ted b" n$thin& less than s)irit'al !ar%are %$r the sake $% Allah. +" learned %riend( inter)retin& te4ts a**$rdin& t$ their literal #eanin&s *an s$#eti#es land a )ers$n in err$r. 0iteralis# is !hat has *a'sed "$'r ,'d&#ents ab$'t Ibn `Arabi !h$ is $ne $% the I#a#s $% $'r %aith kn$!n %$r his s*r')'l$'s )iet". G$' ha1e 'nderst$$d !hat he !r$te in a s')er%i*ial %ashi$nB !hereas s'%is are #asters $% literar" %i&'res !hi*h inti#ate #'*h dee)er #eanin&s( h")erb$li* lan&'a&e that indi*ates hei&htened s)irit'al a!areness and !$rds !hi*h *$n1e" se*rets *$n*ernin& the real# $% the 'nseen.5 Ibn Ta"#i""a; 5This ar&'#ent is a&ainst "$'( n$t in "$'r %a1$r. F$r !hen I#a# al-.'sha"ri sa! his %$ll$!ers de1iatin& %r$# the )ath t$ Allah he t$$k ste)s t$ i#)r$1e the#. What d$ the s'%i sha"khs in $'r da" d$A I $nl" ask that S'%is %$ll$! the )ath $% the S'nna $% these &reat and )i$'s an*est$rs $% $'r %aith (Sala%); the as*eti*s (='hhad) a#$n& the <$#)ani$ns( the &enerati$n !hi*h s'*eeded the#( and the &enerati$n that %$ll$!ed in their %$$tste)s t$ their best@ Wh$e1er a*ts in this !a" I estee# hi# hi&hl" and *$nsider hi# t$ be an I#a# $% the reli&i$n. As %$r 'n!arranted inn$1ati$n and the inserti$n $% the ideas $% id$laters s'*h as the >reek )hil$s$)hers and the Indian ?'ddhists( $r like the idea that #an *an in*arnate Allah (h'l'l) $r attain 'nit" !ith -i# (ittihad)( $r the the$r" that all e4isten*e is $ne in bein& (!ahdat al-!','d) and $ther s'*h thin&s t$ !hi*h "$'r Sha"kh s'##$ns )e$)le; this is *learl" &$dlessness and 'nbelie%.5 Ibn `Ata' Allah; 5Ibn `Arabi !as $ne $% the &reatest $% the ,'rists !h$ %$ll$!ed the s*h$$l $% a!'d al-8ahiri a%ter Ibn -a=# al-Andal'si( !h$ is *l$se t$ "$'r #eth$d$l$&" in Isla#i* la!( O -anbalis@ ?'t alth$'&h Ibn `Arabi !as a 8ahiri (i.e. a literalist in #atters $% Isla#i* la!)( the #eth$d he a))lied t$ 'nderstand

'lti#ate realit" (al-ha/i/a) !as t$ sear*h $'t the hidden( s)irit'al #eanin& (tari/ al-batin)( that is( t$ )'ri%" the in!ard sel% (tathir al-batin).3 -$!e1er( n$t all %$ll$!ers $% the hidden are alike. In $rder that "$' n$t err $r %$r&et( re)eat "$'r readin& $% Ibn `Arabi !ith %resh 'nderstandin& $% his s"#b$ls and ins)irati$ns. G$' !ill %ind hi# t$ be 1er" #'*h like al-.'sha"ri. -e has taken his )ath in tasa!!'% 'nder the '#brella $% the .'r'an and S'nna ,'st like the Cr$$% $% Isla#( Sha"kh al->ha=ali( !h$ *arried $n debates ab$'t d$*trinal di%%eren*es in #atters $% *reed and iss'es $% !$rshi) b't *$nsidered the# $**')ati$ns la*kin& in real 1al'e and bene%it. -e in1ited )e$)le t$ see that the l$1e $% Allah is the !a" $% a )r$)er ser1ant $% Allah !ith res)e*t t$ %aith. $ "$' ha1e an"thin& t$ $b,e*t t$ in this( O %a/ihA Or d$ "$' l$1e the dis)'tati$ns $% Isla#i* ,'ristsA I#a# +alik( #a" Allah be )leased !ith hi#( e4er*ised e4tre#e *a'ti$n ab$'t s'*h !ran&lin& in #atters $% *reed and 'sed t$ sa"; 5Whene1er a #an enters int$ ar&'in& ab$'t iss'es $% *reed it di#inishes his %aith.5 Si#ilarl" al->ha=ali said; The /'i*kest #eans $% dra!in& near t$ Allah is thr$'&h the heart( n$t the b$d". I d$ n$t #ean b" heart this %lesh" thin& )al)able t$ seein&( hearin&( si&ht and t$'*h. Iather( I ha1e in #ind the inner #$st se*ret $% Allah hi#sel% the 74alted and >reat !hi*h is i#)er*e)tible t$ si&ht $r t$'*h. Indeed( the Ahl al-S'nna are the 1er" $nes !h$ na#ed the S'%i sha"kh al->ha=ali; 5the Cr$$% $% Isla#(59 and there is n$$ne t$ &ainsa" his $)ini$ns e1en i% $ne $% the s*h$lars has been e4*essi1e in )raisin& his b$$k !hen he said; 5The Ih"a' `'l'# al-din !as al#$st a .'r'an.560 The *arr"in& $'t $% reli&i$'s $bli&ati$n (takli%) in the 1ie! $% Ibn `Arabi and Ibn al-Farid is a !$rshi) !h$se #ihrab( $r )ra"er-ni*he indi*atin& the $rientati$n $% )ra"er( is its in!ard as)e*t( n$t #erel" its e4ternal rit'al. F$r !hat is the &$$d $% "$' standin& and sittin& in )ra"er i% "$'r heart is )re$**')ied !ith s$#ethin& $ther than Allah. Allah )raises )e$)le !hen -e sa"s in the .'r'an; 5Th$se !h$ are h'#ble in their )ra"er5 (:D;:) and -e bla#es )e$)les !hen -e sa"s; 5Th$se !h$ are heedless in their )ra"er5 (607;F). This is !hat Ibn `Arabi #eans !hen he sa"s; 5W$rshi) is the #ihrab $% the heart( that is( the in!ard as)e*t $% )ra"er n$t the $'t!ard.5 The +'sli# is 'nable t$ arri1e at the kn$!led&e $% *ertit'de (`il# al-"a/in) n$r at *ertit'de itsel% (`a"n al-"a/in) $% !hi*h the .'r'an s)eaks 'nless he e1a*'ates his heart %r$# !hate1er distra*ts it in the !a" $% !$rdl" *ra1in&s and *enter hi#sel% $n in!ard *$nte#)lati$n. Then the $'t)$'rin&s $% i1ine realit" !ill %ill his heart( and %r$# there !ill s)rin& his s'stenan*e. The real s'%i is n$t the $ne !h$ deri1es his s'stena*e %r$# askin& and be&&in& )e$)le %$r al#s. The $nl" $ne !h$ is sin*ere is he !h$ r$'ses his heart and s)irit t$ sel%$bliterati$n in Allah b" $bedien*e t$ Allah. Cerha)s Ibn `Arabi *a'sed the ,'rists t$ rise ') a&ainst hi# be*a'se $% his *$nte#)t $% their )re$**')ati$n !ith ar&'in& and !ran&lin& ab$'t *redal #atters( a*t'al le&al *ases( and h")$theti*al le&al sit'ati$ns( sin*e he sa! h$! #'*h it distra*ted the# %r$# )'ri%"in& the heart. -e na#ed the# 5the ,'rists $% !$#en's #enses.5 +a" Allah &rant "$' re%'&e %r$# bein& a#$n& the#@ -a1e "$' read Ibn `Arabi's state#ent that; 5Wh$e1er b'ilds his %aith e4*l'si1el" $n de#$nstrati1e )r$$%s and ded'*ti1e ar&'#ents( b'ilds a %aith $n !hi*h it is i#)$ssible t$ rel". F$r

he is a%%e*ted b" the ne&ati1ities $% *$nstant $b,e*ti$ns. <ertaint" (al-"a/in) d$es n$t deri1e %r$# the e1iden*es $% the #ind b't )$'rs $'t %r$# the de)ths $% the heart.5 -a1e "$' e1er read talk as )'re and s!eet as thisA5 Ibn Ta"#i""a; 5G$' ha1e s)$ken !ell i% $nl" "$'r #aster !ere as "$' sa"( %$r he !$'ld then be as %ar as )$ssible %r$# 'nbelie%. ?'t !hat he has said *ann$t s'stain the #eanin&s that "$' ha1e &i1en in #" 1ie!.566 -----------------------------------------------------------------------6 Ibn `Ata Allah( 0ata'i% al-#inan %i #ana/ib Abi al-`Abbas.$n the #ar&ins $% Sha`rani's 0ata'i% al-#inan !a al-akhla/ (<air$( 6DF7) :;67-63. : See Ibn al-`I#ad( Shadharat al-dhahab (6DF0J69D6) 2;:0%.B al- 8irikl"( alA`la# (6E0FJ693E) 6;::6B Ibn -a,ar( al- 'rar al-ka#ina (6DE3J69:9) 6;6E3:7DB Al-+a/ri=i( 9itab al-s'l'k (69DE-69F3) :;E0-9EB Ibn 9athir( al-?ida"a !a al-niha"a (6DF6J69D:) 6E;EFB S'bki( Taba/at al-sha%i`i""a (6D:EJ6902) F;677%. and 9;:D%.B S'"'ti( -'sn al-#'hadara %i akhbar #isr !a al-/ahira (6:99J) 6;D06B al- a!adari( al- 'rr al-%akhir %i sirat al-#alik al-Nasir (6920) ). :00%.B al-Ga%i`i( +ir'at al-,anan (6DD7J6963) E;:E2B Sha`rani( al-Taba/at alk'bra (6DFFJ69D2) :;69%.B al-Nabahani( Ha#i` kara#at al-a!li"a' (6D36J692:) :;:F%. D ?'khari and +'sli#( hadith $% Habir; 5I ha1e been &i1en %i1e thin&s !hi*h n$ )r$)het !as &i1en be%$re #e...5 E al-Tabarani relates it in al-9abir. Ibn -ibban and al--aki# de*lare it s$'nd. Ibn Abi Sha"ba $n the a'th$rit" $% Habir relates a si#ilar narrati1e. Si#ilar als$ is !hat Ibn `Abd Al-?arr $n the a'th$rit" $% Ibn `Abbas and Ab' N'`a"# in his -il"a $n the a'th$rit" $% Anas Ibn +alik relate( as al--a%i= al-S'"'ti #enti$ned in the Ha#i` al-9abir. -a"tha#i sa"s in +a,#a` al-=a!a'id; 5Tabarani's *hain *$ntains Ia!h ibn Salah !h$ has s$#e !eakness b't Ibn -ibban and al--aki# de*lared hi# tr'st!$rth". The rest $% its s'b-narrat$rs are the #en $% s$'nd hadith.5 This Fati#a is `Ali's #$ther( !h$ raised the Cr$)het. F -adith; 5O "$'n& #an... i% "$' ha1e need t$ ask( ask $% Allah. I% "$' #'st seek hel)( seek hel) %r$# Allah...5 ("a &h'la# ala '`alli#'ka...); Tir#idhi (K:F62 hasan sahih)B ?a"ha/i in As#a' !a al-si%at ). 7F-72 and Sh'`ab ali#an :;:7-:3 (K607E-607F) and 7;:0D (K60000)B Ah#ad 6;D07B TabaraniB Ibn -ibbanB Ab' a!'dB al--aki#B Na!a!i in*l'ded it in his E0 -adiths (K69) b't Ibn al-Ha!=i )la*ed it a#$n& the %$r&eries. 2 See al-`I== ibn `Abd al-Sala# al-+a/disi's 8abad kh'lasat al-tasa!!'% (The /'intessen*e $% sel%-)'ri%i*ati$n) (Tanta; al-#atba`a al-"'s'%i""a). C'blished 'nder the title -all al-r'#'= !a-#a%atih al-k'n'= (The e4)lanati$n $% s"#b$ls and the ke"s t$ treas'res) (<air$; al-#aktab al-%anni li al-nashr( 6926). N$te that this is a di%%erent a'th$r than Sha"kh al-Isla# al-`I== ibn `Abd al-Sala# alS'la#i. 7 Fr$# the Ielian*e $% the Tra1eller ). 9FE-9F7; 5(`Ali .ari;) The -adith 5I a# the *it" $% kn$!led&e and `Ali is its &ate5 !as #enti$ned b" Tir#idhi... L!h$M said it !as 'na*kn$!led&eable. ?'khari als$ said this( and said that it !as !ith$'t le&iti#ate *lai# t$ a'thenti*it". Ibn +a`in said that it !as a baseless lie( as did Ab' -ati# and Gah"a ibn Sa`id. Ibn Ha!=i re*$rded it in his b$$k $% -adith %$r&eries( and !as *$n%ir#ed b" hahabi( and $thers in this. Ibn a/i/ al-`7id said( 5This -adith is n$t *$n%ir#ed b" s*h$lars( and is held b" s$#e t$ be s)'ri$'s.5 ara/'tni stated that it !as 'n*$rr$b$rated. Ibn -a,ar `As/alani !as asked ab$'t it and ans!ered that it !as !ell a'thenti*ated (hasan)( n$t ri&$r$'sl" a'thenti*ated (sahih)( as -aki# had said( b't n$t a %$r&er" (#a!d'`)( as Ibn Ha!=i had said. This !as #enti$ned b" S'"'ti. The -adith

#aster (ha%i=) Ab' Sa`id `Ala'i said( 5The tr'th is that the -adith is !ell a'thenti*ated (hasan)( in 1ie! $% its #'lti)le #eans $% trans#issi$n( bein& neither ri&$r$'sl" a'thenti*ated (sahih) n$r !eak (da`i%)( #'*h less a %$r&er"5 (Iisala al-#a!d'`at( :2).5 3 This is a ke" e/'i1alen*e in Ibn `Ata Allah's -ika#( %$r e4a#)le K:0F; 5S$#eti#es li&hts *$#e ')$n "$' and %ind the heart st'%%ed !ith %$r#s $% *reated thin&s( s$ the" &$ ba*k %r$# !hen*e the" des*ended.5 Ibn `Ata' Allah( S'%i A)h$ris#s (9itab al-hika#)( trans. Ni*t$r anner (0eiden; 7.H. ?rill( 693E) ). FD. 9 As ill'strated b" Salah al- in al-Sa%adi %$r >ha=ali's entr" in his bi$&ra)hi*al di*ti$nar"; 5+'ha##ad ibn +'ha##ad ibn +'ha##ad ibn Ah#ad( the Cr$$% $% Isla#( the Orna#ent $% the Faith( Ab' -a#id al-T'si...5 alSa%adi( al-Wa%i bi al-!a%a"at 6;:7E. 60 Ir$ni*all"( a si#ilar kind $% )raise $n Ibn `Ata' Allah's $!n b$$k al--ika# is related $n the a'th$rit" $% the &reat sha"kh +a!la" al-`Arabi al- ar/a!i b" Ibn `A,iba in I/a= al-hi#a# (). D-E); 5I heard the ,'rist al-?annani sa"; 5The -ika# $% Ibn `Ata' is al#$st a re1elati$n (!ah"). Were it )er#itted t$ re*ite the dail" )ra"er !ith$'t the .'r'an( the !$rds $% the -ika# !$'ld be all$!ed.5 -e #eant b" this that there is n$thin& in the -ika# e4*e)t !hat )r$*eeds %r$# the .'r'an and )$ints ba*k t$ it a&ain( and Allah kn$!s best. 66 In +'ha##ad 8aki Ibrahi#( Us'l al-!'s'l (<air$; 6E0EJ 693E) :99-D60. 5Ie)r$d'*ed !ith )er#issi$n %r$# Sha"kh +. -isha# 9abbani's The Ie)'diati$n $% 5Sala%i5 Inn$1ati$ns (9a=i( 6992) ). D27-D79. ?lessin&s and Cea*e $n the Cr$)het( his Fa#il"( and his <$#)ani$ns