Sh. Muhyiddin Ibn al-ʿArabī

25 Ibn al-ʿArabī's Critique of the Philosophers

Ibn al-ʿArabī did not ally himself with the philosophers.^[20] Although he recognized the legitimacy of their pursuits, he saw the human reality as much more extensive than what they envisaged. They aimed at union with the First Intellect, but he considered this a stunted view of human nature.

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His goal was to open up people to the boundless potential of their own selves, made in the image of the Infinite Being.

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The title of his magnum opus, al-Futūhāt al-Makkiyya, alludes to this goal. The word Futūhāt means ‘Openings.’ It is often translated as ‘revelations,’ but this suggests that Ibn al-ʿArabī was claiming prophetic status, which is by no means the case. In fact ‘opening’ was a well-established technical term that designates the heart’s sudden reception of direct recognition of the Real.