Journal Of Islamic Denominations

Journal Of Islamic Denominations

Abū al-Futūḥ Rāzī’s Anticipation of Ibn ʿArabī in Depicting the Status of Humanity in Existence

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Ehsan Jandaghi
Reza Elahimanesh
Amir Javan Araste
Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Mysticism and Sufism, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran
10.22034/jid.2025.235397.2039
Abstract
Sufism and Islamic mysticism, as an esoteric and spiritual trend, have had an undeniable and significant presence throughout the history of Islam. Various opinions have been expressed regarding the relationship between Shiism and this trend since the inception of Sufism. Historically, the proximity between Shiism and Sufism is commonly traced to the seventh and eighth centuries AH. This study, conducted using a descriptive approach and based on library research, explores the relationship between the thought of Abū al-Futūḥ al-Rāzī, a Shhiite Quranic exegete who passed away in the sixth century AH, and the ideas of Ibn ʿArabī. The findings, based on this exegete's perspectives on mystical anthropology—particularly regarding the recognition of Adam, his vicegerency, and the understanding of human nature—reveal not only a convergence between his views and the theoretical mysticism of the Ibn ʿArabī school but also suggest that Rāzī’s mystical thought anticipated that of Ibn ʿArabī.
Keywords
Abū al-Futūḥ Rāzī
Ibn ʿArabī
anthropology
fiṭra
existential status
vicegerency
The Noble Quran.
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