The Unlimited Mercifier: The Spiritual Life and Thought of Ibn 'Arabi Hardcover – September 1, 1999

While the book’s author is an acclaimed Islamic/Sufic scholar and teacher (at the time of this review he is a Senior Editor for the Institute of Ismaili Studies in London, as well as the editor of the Journal of the Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi Society since its inception in 1982), this is far from a dry, academically oriented treatise. Instead, “The Unlimited Mercifier” presents an engrossing examination of the life and thought of al-Shaykh al-Akbar ("the Greatest Shaykh"), highlighting his unique and revered place in the history of Sufism, Mysticism, and Islamic Doctrine, along with his profound and enduring relevance. I cannot recommend this exceptional book enough, and for anyone interested in purchasing it, I am including below the following description from Oxford based Anqa Publishing, which Mr. Hirtenstein co-founded —“The book is a unique arrangement of biographical chapters alternating with chapters on major themes in his work. Divided into five sections, it includes:- a full and up-to-date biography, drawn from Ibn ʿArabi's writings- a historical overview of the times in which he lived- an exploration of key themes in his teachings- many new translations, with samples of his handwriting- detailed maps and photographs of the places he visited- appendices on his major works and contemporaries- suggestions for further reading- full notes, bibliography and indexThis highly readable and lucid book will appeal to anyone interested in the real heart of Sufism or the mystical path.”

I'd been looking for a copy of tis book for some time and was pleased to find one in such excellent shape!

A history of the life and doings of a most important man.

This intriguing biography is a must-read for anyone interested in the third important branch of Islam other than the Sunni and the Shiite, that being the Sufi branch. Ibn 'Arabi is the most profound mystic the Sufis have ever produced. Stephen Hirtenstein has written a sweeping view of this holy man's spiritual journey through life, his cultural surroundings, and his relevance in today's tumultuous world. Throughout the book there are striking black and white photographs of relevant landscapes and architecture, in addition to well-designed reference maps.Of special interest is Hirtenstein's depiction of Andalusia (al-Andalus), this being roughly the southern half of the Iberian peninsula, during the late 12th and early 13th centuries. This was the homeland of Ibn 'Arabi's youth, the period of the Andalusian ideal during which cultural connections between Muslims, Christians, and Jews prospered to produce many advances in the sciences and the arts. Hirtenstein succeeds in reviewing the spirit of this particular time and then relating it to the spiritual journey of Ibn 'Arabi. Just as scientists and artists of that time presented new physical perspectives, Ibn 'Arabi's achievement was the brave presentation of new spiritual ones.Hirtenstein presents a structure of alternating chapters, alternating biographical chapters each covering a limited time period with chapters on important ideas in Ibn 'Arabi's thought. The most important of these ideas is love. Ibn 'Arabi believes that "all beings are lovers" (p. 193) in search of natural love, and then spiritual love, and then ultimately Divine love. In successfully completing such a journey one achieves a knowledge of self which includes, surprisingly to anyone trained in Western strains of thought, the insight that the damned are not eternally damned. Ibn 'Arabi's "vision of Universal Compassion" (p. 121) stresses that even the damned will eventually find happiness in the spiritual world beyond the grave.I highly recommend this book.

Once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down, it was as food for a starving soul.

Very interesting.

If I may humbly contribute my opinion among all scholars and critics:For all who search for Truth, God, whatever names we invent for our hidden desire to recognize what we are and what is around us: This deep thinker and mystic is among the greatest, along with Francis of Assisi. To try to label and critizice him or this book in religious terms is a sign of not wanting to accept what you can learn from this incredible searcher for truth. Read this book, preferably after some meditation, in order to be more connected to your inner Self than to your critical brain that rejects all that cannot be explained rationally!Even if you look into this book just out of curiosity, or historical interest, it will give you much insight into the many roots the present-day European, and Western culture had in Spain at Ibn `Arabi's time.

This is probably the best and clearest book about the great sage I have read. It manages to get across the key concepts being neither over simplistic nor too abstruse. Of course the book reflects the author's particular "take" on Arabi, but he manages this inevitatability with grace and generosity. A good balance is stuck too between emphasising the "Islamic" elements of Arabi's thought and those that are more '"universal". The biographical data is mainly interesting and helps illuminate the philosophical, theological and mystical aspects. The last chapter in particular is masterful and moving.

Thank you for the book and kindness.

Great item and service.