The Written World of God: The Cosmic Script and the Art of Ibn 'Arabi

Ibn Arabi's "Science of Letters" is a systematic overview of the science of letters, which he defined as familiarity with the building-blocks of the Quranic revelation and everything in the world of Nature. It examines how the universe came to be, for what purpose it was created, and the hierarchical structure it is endowed with, using the 28 letters of the Arabic alphabet, their orthographic forms, and the meanings attributed to them. Letters were chosen based on Ibn Arabi's doctrine that the meanings carried by the letters fully encompasses the whole of existence, God and the universe.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 230 pages
Publication date: 01 December 2021
Publisher: Anqa Publishing

This is the first systematic overview of the science of letters (ilm al-huruf) according to the great Andalusian spiritual master, scholar, poet and philosopher Ibn Arabi (d. 1240). Ibn Arabi defined the science of letters as familiarity with the building-blocks of the Quranic revelation and everything in the world of Nature. Letters are understood as visual and aural signs of pointing to the mysteries of existence.

The present study examines how the universe came to be, for what purpose it was created, and the hierarchical structure it is endowed with. It is an old story told anew -- through the 28 letters of the Arabic alphabet, their orthographic forms, and the meanings attributed to them, utilizing Ibn Arabi's own diagrams. Although the story could be told through geometrical figures or numbers, letters were chosen on the basis of Ibn Arabi's doctrine that the meanings carried by the letters fully encompasses the whole of existence: God and the universe.

The study begins with an introduction to the Arabic alphabet and its significance in Ibn Arabi's philosophy. It then explores the 28 letters of the alphabet, their orthographic forms, and the meanings attributed to them. Ibn Arabi's diagrams are used to illustrate the relationships between the letters and the various aspects of existence.

The study also examines the role of letters in the Quranic revelation and how they are used to convey the divine message. Ibn Arabi believed that the letters of the alphabet were the building blocks of the Quran and that they carried the divine essence within them. He believed that by studying the letters and their meanings, one could gain a deeper understanding of the Quran and its teachings.

The study concludes by exploring the broader and broader implications of Ibn Arabi's philosophy of letters. It examines how the science of letters can be used to gain a deeper understanding of the world around us and how it can be used to promote peace and harmony in the world. It also examines how the science of letters can be used to promote the development of a more just and equitable society.

In conclusion, this study provides a comprehensive overview of the science of letters (ilm al-huruf) according to Ibn Arabi. It explores the significance of the Arabic alphabet and its role in the Quranic revelation. It also examines the broader implications of Ibn Arabi's philosophy of letters and how it can be used to promote peace and harmony in the world.

Weight: 402g
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 39 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781905937684