Bismillah, the Rahman the Raheem.
Praise and Salam upon our Master Muhammad and his purified household, and Allah's curse upon all their enemies of the firsts and the lasts
There are more fake guides, teachers in the world than stars. The real guide is the one who makes you see your inner beauty, not the one who wants to be admired and followed.
Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Abdullah ibn Hatam Ta’i, also known as Abu Abdillah, Ibn Aflatun, Ibn Suraqah, Ibn Arabi, Sheikh Akbar and Muhyiddin is a descendant of Abdullah ibn Hatam, the brother of the famous sahabi, Uday ibn Hatam, and his family tree traces back to the great Hatam Ta’i. His father, Ali ibn Muhammad, was an ascetic fiqh and hadith scholar and imam who was considered a sufi. His mother was from the خولان tribe of the Ansar.
Ibn Arabi was born on the seventh of Ramadan, 560 (ah), in Murcia, a city in Andulus. He passed away on the eighth of Rabi’ul-Akhar of the year 638 (ah) in Damascus and was buried in the north of this city, in a place called Salehiyyah at the bottom of the mountain of Qasiyun.
He was a Hanbali and one of the greatest Islamic mystics ; a mystic who has stirred much debate regarding his personality amongst those for and against him, sometimes making other mystics, wise-men, jurists, and scholars strong advocates of his, and sometimes antagonists. (Jalaluddin Ashtiyani, Sharhe Fususe Qeysari (introduction), pg. 13.)
Although there are many sources that have mentioned his biography and described his personality, nevertheless, most of them are either biased in his favor or against it, making it hard to reach the truth about him. Sometimes he is considered one who has achieved the highest levels of spirituality and one of the apostles of Allah (swt), while at other times being considered one who has turned away from religion and has innovated in it, misleading many as a result.
The best and most efficient way to get familiar with both his everyday life and personality, and with his spiritual character and what levels of spirituality he has achieved, is to refer to the writings and books he has left behind.
Now, keeping this little introduction in mind, we will engage in answering your question.
Was Ibn Arabi a Shia or Sunni?
In his books, cases can be seen that suggest he has spoken according to the Shia school of thought, to the extent that some have considered him to be Shia as a result. Cases like what he has said in his book of Futuhat Makkiyyah, which is one of his most famous and important works. There, he says: “Ali ibn Abi Taleb is the closest individual to the prophet (pbuh) and the secret of all other prophets and apostles.”(Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi, Al-Futuhat Al-Makkiyyah, vol. 1, pg. 120. This is the wording used in the book: “و أقرب الناس إلیه( ای الی خاتم الانبیا) على بن أبى طالب وهو سر الأنبیاء أجمعین)”)
Or like what he says about Imam Mahdi; that he is Allah's (swt) vicegerent on the earth, from the progeny of Lady Fatimah (as) and that he shares the same name as the prophet (pbuh). Scholars such as Sheikh Baha’i have been surprised from this statement and concluded that he was Shia. Sheikh Baha’i, Ibn Fahd Hilli, Muhaddith Seyyid Jaza’eri and Qadhi Nurullah Tustari are some of those who have considered him to be Shia.(Seyyid Mohammad Baqir Kharrazi, Article on Ibn Arabi being Shia in the Hizbollah theological/philosophical periodical, pg. 64, no. 14, quoted by the book Majalese Sharhe Hale Ibn Arabi.)
Nevertheless, it must be noted that all the phrase “Ali ibn Abi Taleb is the closest to the prophet (pbuh) …” implies is that when it comes to generative authority (wilayah takwini), no one matches Imam Ali (as), not that he is the immediate successor to the prophet (pbuh). Many Sunnis, especially the Mu’tazilah and mystics believe that Imam Ali (as) was higher than everyone else, to the extent that Ibn Abil-Hadid, who was a Sunni Mu’tazili and has a very famous commentary on the Nahjul-Balaghah, says (in the opening of his book when praising Allah (swt)): “و الحمد لله الذی فضل المفضول علی الافضل لمصلحة”[ (All praise is due to Allah (swt), who preferred and chose the lower [Abu Bakr] over the higher and more virtuous [Ali (as)] for a reason [that he knew of])”.(Sharh ibn Abil-Hadid, vol. 1, pg. 3.)
Secondly, even our Sunni brothers believe Imam Ali (as) to be their fourth khalifah, but that doesn’t make them Shia; therefore, just because one believes that Imam Ali (as) was a good person and that he was higher than others, it doesn’t necessarily mean he is Shia.
Although Ibn Arabi has spoken in favor of Ali (as) here, he has also stated in Futuhat Makkiyyah that Abu Bakr’s caliphate was legitimate and that he was the khalifah after the prophet (pbuh).(Futuhat Makkiyyah, vol. 4, pg. 79, this is Ibn Arabi’s exact phrase: “هذا مما یدلک علی صحة خلافة ابی بکر الصدیق”)
Also, in another place in the same book, he emphasizes that Abu Bakr was higher than Ali (as) and that he was imam; he says: “The people know of Abu Bakr’s superiority over the rest and consider him to deserve the caliphate the most."(Futuhat Makkiyyah,vol. 3, pg. 372.)
Once again, in the same book, he mentions Tirmidi’s narration and accepts that after the prophet (pbuh), the highest amongst the Muslims was Abu Bakr. He also narrates poetry that conveys that no one falls between and separates Abu Bakr from his companion, the prophet (pbuh). (Futuhat Makkiyyah,vol. 3, pg. 372.vol. 2, pg. 125 )
There are also cases in his works that leave no doubt about him not being a Shia; he names individuals such as Muawiyyah and Mutawakkil and considers them to be Qutbs. He says: “The Qutb whom is referred to as the ghawth, is the point in which Allah's (swt) looks at [channels His grace to], and in every era it is an individual who is one of the near ones to Allah (swt) and the highest in his time; some of them are those who have outer (Dhaheri) and inner (Bateni) caliphate and authority, like Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali, Hasan, Muawiyyah ibn Yazid, Umar ibn Abdil-Aziz and Mutawakkil the Abbasid, while some only bear inner caliphate and authority, such as Ahmad ibn Harun Al-Rashid Al-Sibti and Abu Zayd Bastami; most Qutbs are like this.”(Ibn Arabi, Futuhat, vol. 2, pg. 6.)
Taking this passage into consideration, a few questions come up:
Which of the Shias believe in the khalifahs he mentioned in that order? This passage is a clear instance of what Imam Ali (as) has said: “How sluggish this world is! It so sluggish to the extent that they have to say Ali and Muawiyyah, and put these two names next to each other!”(Ahmad Mudarres Wahid, Sharh Nahjul-Balaghah, vol. 2, pg. 237.)
Does the Shia believe in the inner and outer authority of a person like Umar ibn Abdil-Aziz?!
Is there any Shia who considers Mutawikkil, the enemy of the imams (as) to be an inner khalifah and can still count himself as a lover and friend of the Ahlul-Bayt?!
Haj Mirza Husein Nouri, a muhaddith (narrator of hadith) and skilled jurist (the teacher of Sheikh Abbas Qummi, author of the Mafatihul-Jinan) says: “Amongst all Sunni scholars and nawasib, Ibn Arabi has shown the most enmity towards the Shia. The reason being that in his Futuhat, when speaking of the different Qutbs, he has mentioned Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali and Imam Hasan, Umar ibn Abdil-Aziz and even Mutawakkil all in one line and next to each other and considered all of them to bear both inner and outer caliphate and authority, while Mutawakkil is the one who ordered Imam Husein’s grave to be destroyed and prevented the people from visiting it.”(Husein Nouri, Mustadrakul-Wasa’el, vol. 3, pg. 422.)
Ibn Arabi was undoubtedly Sunni. He believed in the superiority of Umar over the Prophet [s] in matters of this world, and that the Prophet [s] was wrong in certain instances where Umar was correct. He states: The Messengers, due to their being saints, only see what we have spoken of from the niche of the Seal of the Saints - so what of the other saints? Even though the Seal of the Saints follows the prescriptions of the Law brought by the Seal of the Messengers, this does not impinge upon his station, nor does it contradict the position we hold; he is lesser from one point of view, just as he is more exalted from another. The position we hold is reinforced by what has appeared in the outward aspect of our Law - in Umar's superiority as regards the decision made concerning the prisoners of Badr, as well as the incident of the pollination of the palms.( Fusus al-Hikam (The Ringstones of Wisdom), in chapter 2, entitiled "Ringstone of the wisdom of Breathing in the Word of Seth").
Whoever appreciates Ibn Arabi and other Sufis becomes according to Ahlu Al Bayet (ASWS) an enemy of them. When Imam Al Sadiq (AS) was asked about the Sufis, He said: “they are our enemies. Whoever is inclined to them is of them and will be gathered with them on Judgement Day. There will be people who claim that they love us, but will be inclined to the Sufis, they will resemble them, they will use their titles; they will replicate their words. Whoever is inclined to them is not of us. We reject those ones; whoever denies them and responds to their words will be granted the status of performing Jihad with the prophet peace be upon him and his family” ( Safinat Al Bihar by Al Qumi vol 2, page 57, also in Mustadrak Al Wasail vol 12, page 323.)
Imam Al Ridha peace be upon him said: “whoever is mentioned before him the Sufis and he did not deny them by speech or in private does not become of us. Whoever rejects them will be granted the status of performing Jihad with the prophet peace be upon him and his family”, (Mustadrak Al Wasail vol 12, page 323)
While we were standing, a group of Sufis came into the mosque. They sat in a corner of the mosque and began saying ‘La Ilaha Illallah’ (i.e. there is no God but Allah). Imam al-Hadi (peace be upon him) turned towards his companions and said to them: ‘Do not pay attention to these deceivers for they are allies of the Devils and destroyers of the foundations of religion. ‘They become ascetic to relieve their bodies and watch to hunt cattle…they do not practice rites except to deceive people, and do not decrease food except to cheat the fool; their acts of worship are but dancing and clapping, and their praises and tributes to Allah Al Mighty are but singing and chanting. No one follows them except the daft and harebrained, and no one believes in them except the loopy. Whoever went to visit any of them alive or dead is as if he went to visit Satan and idolaters, and whoever supported any of them, as if he supported, Mu’awiya, Yazid, and Abu Sufyan,’ “Then one of the companions said, ‘Even if he acknowledges your rights?’ Imam al-Hadi (peace be upon him) scolded him and shouted: ‘Do not say that! He, who acknowledges our rights, does not disobey us. Do you not know that they are the worst group of Sufis?! Though all Sufis are dissentient to us and their way is contrary to ours. They are but Christians and magi of this nation. They do their best to put out the light of Allah with their mouths, and Allah will not consent save to perfect His light, though the unbelievers are averse…’” (Hadiqatul Shia, by al-Ardabili, p. 602, taken from al-Mufid may Allah the Most Exalted be pleased with him).
Imam Al Askari peace be upon him said to Abi Hashim Al Jaffari: “Oh Abi Hisham! There will time when people seem to be happy, but their hearts are full of distress. The true Sunna among them is described as an innovation; an innovation among them is called a Sunna. A true believer among them is humiliated; a known Libertine (Zindīq...free interpretation, free thinker,) among them is highly respected. The ones who rule them are tyrants. Their scholars do walk towards the gates of darkness. The wealthy people among them steal from their poor ones. The young ones are more esteemed than the elderly. Any ignorant will be taken as an expert scholar. People will not be able to distinguish between the faithful and unfaithful. People will not be able to distinguish between human wolves and human sheep. Their scholars are the worst of Allah’s creation ever because they are inclined towards Philosophy and Sufism. By Allah! Those are the ones who bring aggression and corruption into Islam. They take our Shia astray. If they secure a high position, they will not get enough from corruption; if they do not, they will acts of worship are nothing but pretence. They are the bandits on the ways of the believers. They are the ones who call for the path of the disbelievers. Beware them! Keep your faith secure from them! Safeguard your faith from them! Oh Abi Hashim! This had been told to me by my forefathers, so keep what I told you safe and reveal it appropriately”. (Ref: Safinat Al Bihar by Al Qumi vol 2 page 58.)
So what is Irfan? Imam al-Baqir(AS), he explained it in his reply to a number of questions directed at him by Abu Hamza al-Thimali, and he is known figure and considered to be one of the loyalist of loyal to our Imams Peace be upon them. So I said, meaning Abu Hamza said to our Imam Peace be upon him: “And what is the knowledge of Allah”? (In Arabic text: Abu Hamza al-Thimali asked our Imam Peace be upon him: “What is the Irfan of Allah? What is the knowledge of Allah”?) Our Imam Peace be upon him replied: “To believe in Allah Al Mighty and believe his Messenger Mohammed Peace be upon him and his Pure Family in the Wilaya of Ali and the Imamat of Ali, taking Ali as his Imam and accepting the Imams of Guidance after him, as well as declaring Bara’a to Allah from their enemies and as such is the Irfan of Allah”.(Tafseer al-Ayyashi)
Therefore, the Irfan of Allah Al Mighty is simply defined by Imam Al-Baqir (AS) as Wilaya and Bara'a.
Our Imam said: “Declare Wilaya to the A'awlya'a of Allah/ Vice-regents of Allah and declare enmity to the enemies of Allah and as such you will be with the Truthful Ones as Allah has ordered you to do”. Abu Hamza said: “Who are the A’awlya’a of Allah/ Viceregents of Allah? And who are his enemies”? Our Imam said: “Mohammed the Messenger of Allah, Ali, Al Hassan, Al Hussain, Ali Ibn Al Hussain then it came down to me, then he pointed with his blessed forefinger to his son Jaffar”. He added: “whoever takes them and recognises their Wilaya, he has given Wilaya to Allah and become with the Truthful Ones as Allah commands”. Abu Hamza then asked: “and who are the enemies of Allah”? The Imam replied: “The Four Idols”. Abu Hamza asked: “and who are they”? The Imam said: “Abu Bakir, Omar, Othman and Muwayah and whoever followed the creed, rules and notions of the Islam they made up. Whoever makes himself any enemy of those four idols; he has become an enemy of Allah’s enemies”. ( Tafseer al-Ayyashi vol 2 page 116.)
In short: the Irfan of Allah is to believe in Allah and believe in his Messenger Mohammed Peace be upon him his Pure Family and what he, the Prophet Peace be upon him and his Family ordered in the Wilaya of Ali and the Imama of Ali, taking Ali as his Imam and accepting the Imams of Guidance after him. To complete your Irfan of Allah, Imam Al Baqir Peace be upon him added that: declaring Bara’a to Allah from their enemies makes ones Irfan in tact: and as such is the Irfan of Allah. And that is the Truth behind Iman/ Belief as our Imam Al Baqir Peace be upon him said...This is a pure, clear, wholesome and clean definition of Irfan. (Tawali and Tabari no more no less.) {With the help of Allah and the blessings of Imam Zamana (ajfs)...Wassalaam!}
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