Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulusi's (1641-1731) commentary on Ibn Arabi's Fusus al-hikam : an analysis and interpretation

Thesis

This thesis is an analysis and interpretation of six chapters from al-Nabulusi's commentary. One of these is an account of his intentions for writing the commentary and the other five are commentaries on parts of the Fuṣūṣ al-ḥikam. These chapters chosen from al-Nabulusi's commentary treat important subjects in the Fuṣūṣ al-ḥikam which exemplify Ibn ʿArabī's thought particularly well. They are concerned with certain issues which were perceived to have a special importance in the Islamic religious tradition. One issue, for example, is that of Pharaoh's profession of faith which was a prominent subject of debate and discussion in Islamic literature. Ibn ʿArabī's position on this was severely criticised by many.

The thesis argues that there are four ways in which to appreciate the commentary's intellectual and religious outlook: first, with respect to its approach to Ibn ʿArabī's ideas; second, with respect to its use of Qur'ān and ḥadīth in the specific context of developing an independence from Ibn ʿArabī's thought and in the general context of Qur'ānic exegesis; third, in its use of language, narrative and metaphor, finally, in its legal approach towards the issue of Pharaoh's faith evincing arguments similar to those of Ibn ʿArabī, but not identical, and, like Ibn ʿArabī, adopting positions different from those of the wider Islamic religious tradition.

The thesis demonstrates that the commentary's significance can be appreciated in two historical contexts: the anti-Ibn ʿArabī tendency manifest in late 17^th century Damascus; and the enduring tradition of polemics surrounding Ibn ʿArabī's thought.

Authors: Lane, A

• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• DOI: 10.5287/ora-no0mnv8o5
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford