University of Tabriz Journal of Philosophical Investigations 2251-7960 20 55 2026 06 22 The Components of Masculine Gender in Ibn ʿArabī’s Thought The Components of Masculine Gender in Ibn ʿArabī’s Thought 667 686 21582 10.22034/jpiut.2026.71149.4436 FA Akram Askarzadeh Mazraeh Associate professor , Department of Philosophy, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili.Ardabil, Iran. Seyyed Ali Alamolhoda Professor, Department of Islamic Philosophy and Theology , University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2026 01 29 Femininity and masculinity are two correlative concepts, each of which can only be defined and explained by reference to the characteristics of the other. This article seeks to articulate the ontological, practical, and epistemological components of masculine identity in Ibn ʿArabī’s thought. The central signifier of masculine identity is "unity," whereas the central signifier of feminine identity is "multiplicity." This unity manifests itself ontologically at the level of aḥadiyya (uniqueness), whose characteristic is inclusivity, symbolized by Adam. From a practical perspective, unity is reflected in integration and order, exemplified by God's manifestation in the station of raḥmāniyya (all-encompassing mercy), with Idrīs serving as its symbol. The realization of unity in epistemological terms occurs through manifestation at the level of intellect (ʿaql), characterized by a transcendental, formless, and holistic understanding of reality, symbolized by Moses. Therefore, masculine identity, given the three aforementioned components, is oriented toward the arc of ascent (qaws al-ṣuʿūd) and the movement from multiplicity toward unity. This identity fundamentally seeks to gather and harmonize multiplicities under a singular entity. Its mode of perception and understanding is such that it grasps multiplicities in coherence with one another, in terms of a single whole, possessing a holistic understanding of reality. Femininity and masculinity are two correlative concepts, each of which can only be defined and explained by reference to the characteristics of the other. This article seeks to articulate the ontological, practical, and epistemological components of masculine identity in Ibn ʿArabī’s thought. The central signifier of masculine identity is "unity," whereas the central signifier of feminine identity is "multiplicity." This unity manifests itself ontologically at the level of aḥadiyya (uniqueness), whose characteristic is inclusivity, symbolized by Adam. From a practical perspective, unity is reflected in integration and order, exemplified by God's manifestation in the station of raḥmāniyya (all-encompassing mercy), with Idrīs serving as its symbol. The realization of unity in epistemological terms occurs through manifestation at the level of intellect (ʿaql), characterized by a transcendental, formless, and holistic understanding of reality, symbolized by Moses. Therefore, masculine identity, given the three aforementioned components, is oriented toward the arc of ascent (qaws al-ṣuʿūd) and the movement from multiplicity toward unity. This identity fundamentally seeks to gather and harmonize multiplicities under a singular entity. Its mode of perception and understanding is such that it grasps multiplicities in coherence with one another, in terms of a single whole, possessing a holistic understanding of reality. https://philosophy.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_21582_b5a3bea7b7c8808fe6c19641e6ddbb24.pdf