The Components of Masculine Gender in Ibn ʿArabī’s Thought

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Associate professor , Department of Philosophy, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili.Ardabil, Iran.

2 Professor, Department of Islamic Philosophy and Theology , University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

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.

Graphical Abstract

The Components of Masculine Gender in Ibn ʿArabī’s Thought

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

Afifi, A. (2001). Commentary on the Bezels of Wisdom (Exposition and Critique of Ibn 'Arabi's Thought) (N. Hekmat, Trans.). Tehran: Elham. (in Persian)
Alam al-Huda, S. A., & Askari zadeh Mazraeh, A. (2024). Components of feminine gender in Ibn 'Arabi's thought. Contemporary Wisdom, 15(2), 195–223. (in Persian) https://doi.org/10.30465/cw.2025.49696.2067
Baharnejad, Z. (2010). Ibn 'Arabi and the theory of the unity of existence. Tehran: Shahid Beheshti University. (in Persian)
Barazeh, N. (2017). Femininity in Ibn 'Arabi's thought. Tehran: Gam-e No. (in Persian)
Chittick, W. C. (2022). Imaginal worlds: Ibn al-'Arabi and the problem of religious diversity (Q. Kaka'i, Trans.). Tehran: Hermes. (in Persian)
Ibn 'Arabi, M. (1996). Treatises of Ibn 'Arabi (N. M. Heravi, Trans.). Tehran: Mowla. (in Persian)
Ibn 'Arabi, M. (2002). The Meccan revelations (Vols. 1–8) (M. Matraji, Ed.). Beirut: Dar al-Fikr. (in Persian)
Ibn 'Arabi, M. (2003). The book of knowledge (M. A. Abu Juhur, Ed.). Damascus: Dar al-Takwin.
Ibn 'Arabi, M. (2010a). The Meccan revelations (Vols. 1–9). Cairo: Al-Maktabah al-Arabiyyah. (in Persian)
Ibn 'Arabi, M. (2010b). The bezels of wisdom (M. Khajavi, Trans.). Tehran: Mowla. (in Persian)
Ibn Turka, S. A. (1981). The groundwork of principles (S. J. Ashtiyani, Ed.). Tehran: The Society of Wisdom and Philosophy of Iran. (in Persian)
Jandi, M. (2002). Commentary on the bezels of wisdom. Qom: Bustan-e Ketab. (in Persian)
Kashani, K. A. (2005). Commentary on the bezels of wisdom. Tehran: Intisharat-i Anjuman-i Asar va Mafakhir-i Farhangi. (in Persian)
Kermani, A. (2011). The arrangement of the cosmic order from Ibn 'Arabi's perspective. Lights of Knowledge, 1(1), 43–68. (in Persian)
Khadri, G. (2022). An analysis of the treatise on the properties of letters by Ibn Masarrah al-Andalusi, founder of the school of Almeria. Metaphysical Research, 3(1), 513–536 (in Persian)  https://doi.org/20.1001.1.21982783.1401.3.5.1.2
Maha'imi, A. b. A. (2000). The approach of the elect to the meanings of the texts. Qom: Bustan-e Ketab. (in Persian)
Majlisi, M. B. (1982). Oceans of lights (Vol. 84). Tehran: Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyyah. (in Persian)
Nedari Abianeh, F. (2007). The influences of Ibn 'Arabi on transcendent theosophy. Tehran: Bunyad-i Hikmat-i Islami. (in Persian)
Qaysari, D. b. M. (2002). Commentary on the bezels of wisdom (Vols. 1–2). Qom: Anwar al-Huda. (in Persian)
Qaysari, D. b. M. (2008). Commentary on the bezels of wisdom (M. Khajavi, Trans.). Tehran: Mowla. (in Persian)
Qunawi, S. (2006). The sunderings (M. Khajavi, Trans.). Tehran: Mowla. (in Persian)
Rezaei, E., & Kaka'i, Q. (2015). Imagination from the perspective of Ibn 'Arabi and Rumi. Journal of Mysticism, 6(12), 27–44. http://erfanmag.ir/article-1-90-fa.html (in Persian)
Send comment about this article
CAPTCHA Image
Journal of Philosophical Investigations
Volume 20, Issue 55 - Serial Number 55
Articles
Issue 55, Summer 2026
July 2026
Pages 667-686

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics