Studies in Fuṣūṣ al-ḥikam I: Jāmī’s Naqd al-nuṣūṣ
Description
This six-week course offers a guided study of Ibn al-ʿArabī’s Fuṣūṣ al-Ḥikam through the prism of Naqsh al-Fuṣūṣ and Jāmī’s Naqd al-Nuṣūṣ, as presented in Inscriptions of Wisdom. As explained in the Introduction, Naqsh al-Fuṣūṣ represents the distilled “imprint” or “inscription” (naqsh) of the Fuṣūṣ, a concise articulation of divine principles reflected in prophetic archetypes. While hundreds of commentaries exist on the Fuṣūṣ, far fewer address the Naqsh, and Jāmī’s commentary serves as a crucial bridge to the earliest Akbarian interpreters such as Qūnawī, Jandī, Kāshānī and Qayṣarī.
The course begins by clarifying the meaning of faṣṣ and ḥikma. Each faṣṣ may be understood as the quintessence of knowledge received by a prophet, determined by the divine name governing that prophetic reality. The faṣṣ is also likened to the setting of a ring, inscribed in the heart of the Perfect Human. The plural ḥikam denotes wisdom in both its cognitive and practical dimensions, the knowledge of things as they truly are according to human capacity.
Across six weeks, students will explore selected prophetic “Words” (kalimāt) as archetypal loci of divine self-disclosure. The course will illuminate how each prophetic wisdom expresses a distinct divine name and metaphysical principle, while simultaneously contributing to the unified vision of reality articulated by Ibn al-ʿArabī. Special attention will be given to the relationship between prophetic archetypes, divine names, the Perfect Human and the structure of existence.
Designed for serious students of Islamic spirituality and metaphysics, this course assumes no prior mastery of Arabic but requires intellectual engagement and careful reading. Participants will gain a structured entry into the symbolic architecture of the Fuṣūṣ and a deeper appreciation of how prophetic wisdom functions as a mirror of divine reality.
Overview
Week 1 — Divinity in the Word of Adam
Topics: Meaning of faṣṣ and ḥikma, Adam as the comprehensive mirror of the divine names, vicegerency, the Perfect Human
Reading: Inscriptions of Wisdom, Chapter 1
Week 2 — Exhalation in the Word of Seth
Topics: Spiritual inheritance, divine inspiration, transmission of esoteric knowledge, continuity of prophetic wisdom
Reading: Inscriptions of Wisdom, Chapter 2
Week 3 — Glorification in the Word of Noah
Topics: Transcendence and purification, divine majesty and mercy, dialectic of transcendence and manifestation
Reading: Inscriptions of Wisdom, Chapter 3
Week 4 — Holiness in the Word of Idrīs
Topics: Sanctity and elevation, contemplative knowledge, ascent and proximity
Reading: Inscriptions of Wisdom, Chapter 4
Week 5 — Rapturous Love in the Word of Abraham
Topics: Divine love and surrender, intimate friendship, trial and purification, metaphysics of sacrifice
Reading: Inscriptions of Wisdom, Chapter 5
Week 6 — Veracity in the Word of Isaac
Topics: Truthfulness and realization, conformity to divine reality, alignment of human and divine truth
Reading: Inscriptions of Wisdom, Chapter 6
Texts
The course will focus on selections from Ibn al-ʿArabī’s Naqsh al-Fuṣūṣ and Jāmī’s Naqd al-Nuṣūṣ as presented in the primary text. Supplementary passages from the Fuṣūṣ al-ḥikam may be introduced where necessary for clarification and context.
Prerequisites
Completion of the course Sufism: The School of Ibn al-ʿArabī or equivalent familiarity with Ibn al-ʿArabī’s core concepts is recommended but not strictly required.
While no prior knowledge of Arabic is necessary, students should be prepared for sustained textual engagement and careful conceptual analysis. This course is designed for serious students seeking deeper immersion in the Fuṣūṣ tradition.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
Understand the structural relationship between Fuṣūṣ al-Ḥikam, Naqsh al-Fuṣūṣ, and Jāmī’s Naqd al-Nuṣūṣ.
Articulate the central metaphysical principles underlying the Fuṣūṣ tradition, including being (wujūd), divine self-disclosure (tajallī), prophetic wisdom, and spiritual anthropology.
Engage complex metaphysical arguments with precision and interpretive discipline.
Develop the capacity to read advanced Sufi philosophical texts with confidence and depth.
Readings
Assigned readings are drawn primarily from the course textbook and are to be completed prior to each class session. Reading selections are calibrated to support comprehension and guided discussion rather than technical specialization.
Class Structure
Each class meets for ninety minutes, with approximately fifty minutes devoted to structured lecture and forty minutes to discussion and questions. Lectures are designed to build progressively, ensuring continuity and conceptual grounding across the eight-week course.
Q&A Protocol
Students may submit questions during class via Zoom’s chat function or “raise hand” feature. Questions may be addressed during the lecture when appropriate or reserved for the discussion portion of the session.
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Course Details
Instructor: Professor Mukhtar Ali
Dates: June 6 - July 11
(6 Weeks)
Day: Saturdays
Time: 12pm - 1:30 pm EST
Location: Online
Tuition: Early Registration: $195
Standard Rate: $225 (after May 1)
How to Register
To enroll, click the Register button below and complete the online checkout process. Once registration is confirmed, you will receive a confirmation email with access details and course information.