Philosophical Sufism I: The School of Ibn al-Arabi
Description
A 6-Week Online Course
This course offers a clear, structured, and intellectually serious introduction to philosophical Sufism through the teachings of Ibn al-ʿArabī, one of the most influential and profound figures in Islamic intellectual and spiritual history. Drawing on the textbook Philosophical Sufism: An Introduction to the School of Ibn al-ʿArabī, the course introduces students to a sophisticated metaphysical tradition that addresses the deepest questions of existence, knowledge, divine reality, and human transformation.
Over six weeks, students will engage foundational themes central to the Akbarian tradition, including divine unity (tawḥīd), being and existence (wujūd), the divine names and their manifestation in the cosmos, cosmology and the structure of reality, prophecy and sainthood, imagination and the imaginal world, and the path of spiritual realization. These themes are presented not merely as abstract doctrines, but as an integrated worldview that unites theology, metaphysics, and spiritual practice.
Complex ideas are explained with clarity and care, making the course accessible to beginners while maintaining intellectual rigor and conceptual precision. Special attention is given to clarifying technical terminology and situating Ibn al-ʿArabī within the broader currents of Islamic theology and philosophy, allowing students to see how philosophical Sufism functions as both a spiritual discipline and a comprehensive vision of reality.
This course is designed for students seeking a deeper understanding of Islamic spirituality beyond devotional practice alone. No prior background in Sufism, philosophy, or Arabic is required. Through carefully structured lessons, close textual engagement, and guided commentary, students will develop a solid foundation in the metaphysical principles of Ibn al-ʿArabī and the school that emerged from his teachings.
Whether you are approaching Sufism for the first time or looking to deepen your understanding of its philosophical dimensions, this course provides a thoughtful, academically grounded, and spiritually serious entry point into one of the most profound intellectual traditions of Islam.
Overview
Week 1 — Introduction: Sufism and Philosophy
Topics: Sharīʿa, ṭarīqa, ḥaqīqa, the convergence of Sufism and philosophy, epistemology of unveiling and reason, overview of kalām, Peripateticism, Illuminationism and philosophical Sufism
Reading: Introduction
Week 2 — Ontology and Divine Unity
Topics: Wujūd and the nature of being, divine unity (tawḥīd), essence and manifestation, the relationship between the One and multiplicity
Reading: Chapter 1, Ontology
Week 3 — The Divine Names and Knowledge
Topics: Names of the Essence, Attributes and Acts, divine self-disclosure (tajallī), divine knowledge, ontological differentiation
Reading: Chapter 2, The Divine Names and Attributes; Chapter 3, Divine Knowledge
Week 4 — The Origin of Multiplicity
Topics: Emergence of multiplicity from unity, metaphysical hierarchy, contingency and dependence, structure of manifestation
Reading: Chapter 4, The Origin of Multiplicity
Week 5 — The Universal Worlds
Topics: Levels of existence, intelligible and sensory realms, cosmological structure, macrocosm and microcosm
Reading: Chapter 5, The Universal Worlds
Week 6 — The Imaginal World
Topics: ʿĀlam al-mithāl, symbolic perception, spiritual epistemology, unveiling (kashf), limits of discursive reason
Reading: Chapter 6, The Imaginal World
Texts
Primary textbook: Ali, Mukhtar H. Philosophical Sufism: An Introduction to the School of Ibn al-ʿArabī. London: Routledge, 2023.
Prerequisites
No prior background in Sufism, Islamic studies, philosophy, or Arabic is required. The course is designed for beginners while remaining intellectually rigorous and conceptually precise.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
Identify the core principles of philosophical Sufism
Understand the central concepts of Ibn al-ʿArabī’s thought and his intellectual legacy
Explain how metaphysics, cosmology, and spirituality are integrated within this tradition
Engage primary ideas of Sufi philosophy with clarity and confidence
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: April 6 - May 11
(6 Weeks)
Day: Mondays
Time: 12pm - 1:30 pm
US- Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Location: Online
Tuition: Early Registration: $195
Standard Rate: $225 (after April 6)
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.