Divine Sayings

Divine Sayings is a translation of the Mishkāt al-Anwār, a collection of 101 hadith qudsi compiled by the Sufi mystic Ibn 'Arabi. Hadith qudsi are sayings in which God speaks in the first person through the Prophet Muhammad. The text presents these sacred traditions with Ibn 'Arabi's spiritual commentary and interpretations alongside the original Arabic. The translation by Stephen Hirtenstein and Martin Notcutt maintains the structure and poetic qualities of the original while making it accessible to English readers. This volume represents a key work in Ibn 'Arabi's vast literary corpus, drawing from authenticated hadith collections and presenting them in a systematic arrangement. The collection focuses particularly on divine mercy, spiritual realization, and the relationship between God and creation. The work expresses core themes in Islamic mysticism through direct divine speech, offering insights into both the doctrinal and experiential dimensions of Sufi spirituality. The text serves as a bridge between prophetic traditions and mystical philosophy in Islamic thought.

Readers describe this collection of hadith qudsi as profound but challenging to grasp without prior knowledge of Sufi thought and terminology. Many note that Muhyiddin Ibn 'Arabi's commentary provides valuable insights, though the language can be abstract. Likes: - Clear translations with both Arabic and English text - Detailed explanations of complex spiritual concepts - Quality binding and presentation - Comprehensive footnotes Dislikes: - Dense terminology requires multiple readings - Assumes familiarity with Islamic mysticism - Some find the commentary too esoteric - Limited accessibility for beginners Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.5/5 (127 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (24 ratings) One reader noted: "The commentary opens new dimensions of understanding, but requires patience and background knowledge." Another mentioned: "Not for casual reading - this is a text that demands serious study and contemplation." Most readers recommend starting with introductory Sufi texts before approaching this work.

The Conference of the Birds by Farid ud-Din Attar A Sufi allegorical tale presents spiritual truths through birds seeking the divine, incorporating metaphysical teachings and mystical poetry.

The Bezels of Wisdom by Ibn Arabi This foundational text explores the nature of divine manifestation through prophetic archetypes and metaphysical principles.

The Essential Rumi by Coleman Barks) These collected poems convey spiritual teachings through metaphors of love, longing, and union with the divine.

The Book of Certainty by Abu Bakr Siraj al-Din The text examines Islamic metaphysical doctrine through traditional Sufi symbolism and esoteric interpretations.

The Wisdom of the Prophets by Titus Burckhardt This commentary on Ibn 'Arabi's work explains key concepts of Sufi metaphysics and spiritual psychology through prophetic wisdom.

🕌 Ibn 'Arabi wrote Divine Sayings (Mishkāt al-Anwār) in just ten days during the month of Ramadan in 1203 CE, while staying in the city of Mecca. 📜 The book contains 101 hadith qudsi—sacred sayings where God speaks in the first person through Prophet Muhammad—with Ibn 'Arabi's mystical interpretations. ⭐ Ibn 'Arabi was known as "The Greatest Master" (al-Shaykh al-Akbar) and influenced both Sufi and non-Sufi traditions across the Islamic world for centuries after his death. 🌟 Divine Sayings uniquely combines three forms of religious literature: hadith collection, spiritual commentary, and mystical poetry, as each hadith is followed by Ibn 'Arabi's verse interpretation. 🗺️ The original Arabic manuscript of Divine Sayings was preserved in Istanbul's Yeni Cami Library, and the first complete English translation wasn't published until 2004.