Ibn Al’ Arabi : The Bezels of Wisdom

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ISBN: 0809123312
Author: R W J Austin; Titus Burckhardt (preface)
Publisher: Paulist Press (November 1980)
Pages: 302 Binding: Paperback

Description from the publisher:

"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 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. Ibn Al-'Arabi, 1165-1240Called by Moslems "the greatest master," Ibn Al-'Arabi 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 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.'

"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 invites us in these pages to explore the inner spiritual meanings of the Quran, 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."

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE...xi

FOREWORD...xvii

INTRODUCTION...1

THE LIFE AND WORK OF MUHYI AL-DIN IBN AL-'ARABI...1

HIS HISTORICAL AND SPIRITUAL CONTEXT...14

THE BEZELS OF WISDOM...16

HIS THOUGHT...21

THE BEZELS OF WISDOM PREFACE...45

I. THE WISDOM OF DIVINITY IN THE WORD OF ADAM...47

II. THE WISDOM OF EXPIRATION IN THE WORD OF SETH...60

III. THE WISDOM OF EXALTATION IN THE WORD OF NOAH...71

IV. THE WISDOM OF HOLINESS IN THE WORD OF ENOCH...82

V. THE WISDOM OF RAPTUROUS LOVE IN THE WORD OF ABRAHAM...90

VI. THE WISDOM OF REALITY IN THE WORD OF ISAAC...96

VII. THE WISDOM OF SUBLIMITY IN THE WORD OF ISHMAEL...104

VIII. THE WISDOM OF SPIRIT IN THE WORD OF JACOB...111

IX. THE WISDOM OF LIGHT IN THE WORD OF JOSEPH...119

X. THE WISDOM OF UNITY IN THE WORD OF HUD...128

XI. THE WISDOM OF OPENING IN THE WORD OF SALIH...139

XII. THE WISDOM OF THE HEART IN THE WORD OF SHU'AIB...145

XIII. THE WISDOM OF MASTERY IN THE WORD OF LOT...156

XIV. THE WISDOM OF DESTINY IN THE WORD OF EZRA...163

XV. THE WISDOM OF PROPHECY IN THE WORD OF JESUS...172

XVI. THE WISDOM OF COMPASSION IN THE WORD OF SOLOMON...187

XVII. THE WISDOM OF BEING IN THE WORD OF DAVID...198

XVIII. THE WISDOM OF BREATH IN THE WORD OF JONAH...206

XIX. THE WISDOM OF THE UNSEEN IN THE WORD OF JOB...212

XX. THE WISDOM OF MAJESTY IN THE WORD OF JOHN...218

XXI. THE WISDOM OF DOMINION IN THE WORD OF ZAKARIAH...222

XXII. THE WISDOM OF INTIMACY IN THE WORD OF ELIAS...228

XXIII. THE WISDOM OF VIRTUE IN THE WORD OF LUQMAN...236

XXIV. THE WISDOM OF LEADERSHIP IN THE WORD OF AARON...241

XXV. THE WISDOM OF EMINENCE IN THE WORD OF MOSES...249

XXVI. THE WISDOM OF RESOURCE IN THE WORD OF KHALID...267

XXVII.THE WISDOM OF SINGULARITY IN THE WORD OF MUHAMMAD...269

BIBLIOGRAPHY...285

INDEXES...288