Ibn Taymiyyah's View on Mystical Ontology; A Critical Analysis

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JALILI REZA; BOLHASANI RAHMAN

Title

Ibn Taymiyyah's View on Mystical Ontology; A Critical Analysis

Author(s)

JALILI REZA | BOLHASANI RAHMAN | Issue Writer Certificate

Keywords

Ibn Taymiyyah

Ibn Arabi

Ontology

Unity of Existence

Incarnation and Unity

Abstract

Ibn Taymiyyah, a Sunni scholar with Salafi tendencies, has criticized the scientific debates of many philosophers, theologians, and Islamic groups such as the Shiites. Many works in the critique and excommunication (Takfir) of mystics and Sufis, such as Rifa'iyyah and Shazliyah and Fatwas have been written and issued by him. One of the reasons for the expulsion of the mystics, based on his view, is their attitude about the Unity of Existence (vahdat-e vojod) regarding oneness of God. Ibn Taymiyyah has excommunicated the founders of this doctrine, such as Ibn Arabi and the commentators of his school. He considers "Unity of Existence" as atheism, polytheism and infidelity. He, generally, claims that if one believes in the doctrine of the Unity of Existence and considers it correct, this is enough for its corruption and invalidity. According to him, Unity of Existence, incarnation (Holool) and unity are different interpretations of one thing and there is not much difference between them. In defining the Unity of Existence, he says: Mystics believe that existence is one. Therefore, the necessary existence of the Creator (Vojood-e Vajib-e Khaliq) is the contingent being of the creature (Vojood-e Momken-e Makhlooq). For him, the Unity of Existence has two basic principles: the objectivity of creation (Eyniyat-e Khalq), truth and immutable essences (Ayan _e_ Sabeteh); his interpretation, understanding and critical analysis of the first principle reveals that Ibn Arabi has included two things in his words: denying the existence of truth and denying the creation of divine creatures; Ibn Arabi, by considering the existence of truth and the existence of things as one, in fact denies lordship. Ibn Taymiyyah seeks to depict the doctrine of the Unity of Existence as "incarnation. " In this paper, by a descriptive-analytical method, we have first explained Ibn Taymiyyah's understanding and perception of mystical Ontology (Vojood Shenasi Erfani), and then we have examined and criticized his words and proofs. It seems that the issues of mystical Ontology for Ibn Taymiyyah and his followers have not been "properly" explained in detail by technical explanation and analysis. His superficial understanding of mystics’ words can be easily seen, since mystics have explicitly considered incarnation as polytheism in their works and have considered the doctrine of the Unity of Existence as opposite and distinct. The approach of Muslim mystics indicates that existence is a single, authentic, absolute and infinite reality that has filled all reality and existence with secrets in all existence and has left no room for others; From this point of view, there is no more than one essential instance of existence (Mesdaq-e Bel-zate Vojood), then creations and multiplicities of the universe of possibility are an accidental example (Mesdaq-e Bel-araz) and manifestation of the existence of true deception. The latter does not have an existential soul, but is a manifestation of essential existence; in the sense that understanding the meaning of existence, it needs others, while the truth and mere existence do not need anything to be existed. This matter has been explicitly repeated in mystics’ words, but Ibn Taymiyyah, regardless of the "language of mysticism", in most cases considers the Unity of Existence as an equal to incarnation. In his works, Ibn Arabi has considered incarnation as polytheism. Disbelief in solution and unity incarnation is one of decisive and certain beliefs of theoretical mysticism, so it is necessary (in scientific discussions) to weigh any ecstatic words, for instance belief in incarnation, empathetically and without presuppositions with the principles and decisive basics of knowledge; In particular, the doctrine of the Unity of Existence, which is a paradoxical theory beyond reason. The Unity of Existence is neither a pure assimilation to God and the world, nor an incarnation. Rather, it is a progressive and evolved theory that is compatible to the religious texts of Islam. In this approach, the Unity of Existence can be defined as follows: "The truth of existence is a single and personal reality, in which all beings and phenomena of the universe are the place of manifestation (opportunities and manifestations) of the same existence, or in other words, based on the verse (Every day He is engaged in some work “ Chapter55/29) different and various designations of the world are all different manifestations of the single reality. " In mysticism, the essential existence of the Supreme Being (Vojood-e Vajebi Haq Taȃ la) is an essential instance of existence (Mesdaq-e Bal-zat-e Vojood) and leaves no room for the other and the independent essence due to absoluteness of division (Itlaq-e Maqsqmi). In absoluteness of division, existence is free from any determination (Taȃ yyon), it is not even bound by absoluteness; Absolute existence at the same time is present throughout the universe and presence in all places and levels beyond any determination and specification. In every rank and place, other saying, it takes over the same rank and the constraints of that place, but it is a reality beyond that place and all the levels and appointments. The essence of the Supreme Being has an unconditional identity due to the absoluteness of division. So that absoluteness cannot be a stipulation for His identity and existence. The status of Divine Essence is the status of no determination (bi Taȃ yyoni) and condition; and no determination and specification is superior to other ones. The Divine Essence has all specifications, existential perfections and divine attributes; It is a status of unity. But when determinations and realities appear and move from epitome to detail, pluralities arise. This is where the discussion of "manifestation" comes into play. In fact, it will be absolute by one of the determinations; thus, by the absolute appearance in the form of appointments and restrictions, the status of plurality appears. To clarify their intuitions, those possessed of the knowledge of God (Ahl-e Marefat), for the men of perfect visions and explain the Unity of Existence, otherness and objectivity of creation and truth, reveal the necessity of discussion on the requirements of the theory of Unity of Existence and some other concepts like surrounding distinction (Tamayoz-e Ehali), divine transcendence (Tanzih), and ascribing human attributes to God (Lehaz-e Nafsol Amri). Ibn Taymiyyah has questioned the issue of the objectivity of the creation and the truth; what is meant by Mystics’ belief that the Supreme Being (due to infinity and absoluteness of division) is the same as all things and at the same time other than them? What is the difference between creation and truth? Mystics have proposed to surrounding distinction in response. In this distinction, which is also interpreted as one-sided distinction, we come across two things in which one (God) surrounds the other (beings), and encompass it. Therefore, in this research, by the objectivity, it is no meant the literal concept and as a result, the suspicion of incarnation is never raised; Rather, the dignity of the Absolute Truth is that it is accompanied by its possibilities and constraints (intrinsic assistance (Maeiyyat-e Zati), but not in the form of incarnation. Belief in incarnation and union between two essences and multiplicity of real existence multiplicity are two sides of extremism.

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APA: Copy

JALILI, REZA, & BOLHASANI, RAHMAN. (2021). Ibn Taymiyyah's View on Mystical Ontology; A Critical Analysis. THE JOURNAL OF SAPIENTIAL WISDOM AND PHILOSOPHY (SOPHIA PERENNIS), 17(38 ), 0-0. SID. https://sid.ir/paper/973386/en

Vancouver: Copy

JALILI REZA, BOLHASANI RAHMAN. Ibn Taymiyyah's View on Mystical Ontology; A Critical Analysis. THE JOURNAL OF SAPIENTIAL WISDOM AND PHILOSOPHY (SOPHIA PERENNIS)[Internet]. 2021;17(38 ):0-0. Available from: https://sid.ir/paper/973386/en

IEEE: Copy

REZA JALILI, and RAHMAN BOLHASANI, “Ibn Taymiyyah's View on Mystical Ontology; A Critical Analysis,” THE JOURNAL OF SAPIENTIAL WISDOM AND PHILOSOPHY (SOPHIA PERENNIS), vol. 17, no. 38 , pp. 0–0, 2021, [Online]. Available: https://sid.ir/paper/973386/en

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Scientific Information Database

ISSN: 2588-4824

Journal Paper

Ibn Taymiyyah's View on Mystical Ontology; A Critical Analysis