For reading materials, articles and other media that conference goers should find useful, please visit the following websites.
Essential Reading
The Unlimited Mercifier by Stephen Hirtenstein (Anqa Publishing, 1999). An excellent introduction to Ibn ’Arabi’s life and thought, which combines biographical material with a discussion of the main ideas, attempting to explain them to a non-Muslim audience.
Ibn ’Arabi: The Voyage of No Return by Claude Addas (Islamic Texts Society, 2000). Another short introduction to the life and teachings by one of the best contemporary scholars. It also gives a wider perspective on some aspects of the ideas and their cultural context.
Ibn ’Arabi: Heir to the Prophets by William C. Chittick (Oneworld Publications, 2007). An excellent overview of the major themes of Ibn ’Arabi’s teachings (love, remembrance, realization, ethics, mercy etc). Sample chapter (PDF file download)
Sufis of Andalusia trans. by R. W. J. Austin (Beshara Publications, 1988). Selections from two autobiographical writings, Ruh al-Quds and al-Durrat al-Fakhirah, concerning Ibn ’Arabi’s early training in Spain and North Africa. Includes an introduction to his life and thought.
Other Sources
The Muhyiddin Ibn ’Arabi Society (MIAS), based in Oxford, is an international society devoted to the dissemination of Ibn ’Arabi’s ideas. They publish a biennial journal for their members, and hold an annual symposium in the UK with an international line-up of speakers. They also have a library dedicated to the works of Ibn ’Arabi and his school, and are a good source of information on lectures, seminars and study groups. There is also a branch in the USA. The Journal of the Muhyiddin Ibn ’Arabi Society is a biennial journal with translations and studies of Ibn ’Arabi’s writings and ideas. It includes three special volumes on particular topics (Prayer and Contemplation, The Journey of the Heart and Praise).
The Muhyiddin Ibn ’Arabi Society: The Writings of Ibn ’Arabi
The Muhyiddin Ibn ’Arabi Society: Books
Anqa Publishing is a small publishing company dedicated to the works of Ibn ’Arabi and his school. It works in close collaboration with MIAS, and is publishing a series of translations of Ibn ’Arabi’s shorter works. It also organises tours “in the footsteps of Ibn ’Arabi" in Andalusia and Anatolia.
Conference speakers interviewed on WBAI-FM
Abundant Faith, Shrinking Space
Events: From The Ibn ’Arabi Society
