EPISODE · Dec 8, 2025 · 40 MIN
Ep.3. Ibn Arabi’s "Unity of Existence" (Wahdat al-Wujud) | Sufi Metaphysics & Divine Self-Disclosure
from Immortal Echoes, Mortal Words · host Rasoul Rahbari-Ghazani
Rasoul Rahbari-Ghazani Music: https://www.youtube.com/@amirmohamdmonjezi Ibn ʿArabī’s doctrine of Waḥdat al-Wujūd (Unity of Existence) is one of the most profound and debated theories in Islamic mysticism. In this episode, we explore his metaphysical vision—how all existence is ultimately one, and everything we perceive is a manifestation (tajallī) of the Divine Reality (al-Ḥaqq). What You’ll Discover in This Episode: Ibn ʿArabī’s explanation of existence as a singular reality The role of divine self-disclosure (Tajallī) in creation The Fixed Entities (aʿyān al-thābita) and their role in the cosmos How the Perfect Human (al-Insān al-Kāmil) reflects divine attributes The theological, sufi, and philosophical criticisms and controversies surrounding his ideas Tanzīh (تنزیه): incomparability, transcendence. Tashbīh (تشبیه): similarity, immanence. Important: Technically, tashbīh means "similarity," not necessarily "immanence." I use "immanence" to give the intended "similarity" a sense of "indwelling." I use "God is immanent in the world" instead of "God is similar to the created" to emphasize His "dwelling in the world." Why does this doctrine matter today? Ibn ʿArabī’s teachings bridge the gap between philosophy, spirituality, and modern self-discovery—inviting us to see the world as a reflection of the Divine. Guiding questions: Do you think Ibn ʿArabī’s doctrine of Waḥdat al-Wujūd resolves the paradox of divine transcendence and immanence? How does Ibn ʿArabī’s idea of creation as a mirror help us understand our own existence? Is the world ultimately real or an illusion according to Ibn ʿArabī? What do you think? Can Ibn ʿArabī’s metaphysics provide insights for modern philosophy and psychology? My latest book: Sarayān: The Real’s Permeation: Ibn ʿArabi on the Divine Presence in the Cosmos with Neoplatonic Insights (available in both digital and print formats): https://immortalechoes.org/pages/our-press Visit our Academy of Mystic Poetics and Philosophy, and check out our courses: https://immortalechoes.org/pages/courses If you enjoy the content and wish to support our work, your generosity helps us continue creating: https://immortalechoes.org/pages/donations Watch more from our Ibn Arabi Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqkz7b_183HG0qkYvbH9dyTAWnncKZGLp&si=sCNGBNjB7RRRIZat My recent publications: https://istanbul.academia.edu/RasoulRahbariGhazani #IbnArabi #Sufism #IslamicMysticism #SpiritualWisdom #UnityofExistence #onenessofbeing #wahdat_alwujud
What this episode covers
Rasoul Rahbari-Ghazani Music: https://www.youtube.com/@amirmohamdmonjezi Ibn ʿArabī’s doctrine of Waḥdat al-Wujūd (Unity of Existence) is one of the most profound and debated theories in Islamic mysticism. In this episode, we explore his metaphysical vision—how all existence is ultimately one, and everything we perceive is a manifestation (tajallī) of the Divine Reality (al-Ḥaqq). What You’ll Discover in This Episode: Ibn ʿArabī’s explanation of existence as a singular reality The role of divine self-disclosure (Tajallī) in creation The Fixed Entities (aʿyān al-thābita) and their role in the cosmos How the Perfect Human (al-Insān al-Kāmil) reflects divine attributes The theological, sufi, and philosophical criticisms and controversies surrounding his ideas Tanzīh (تنزیه): incomparability, transcendence. Tashbīh (تشبیه): similarity, immanence. Important: Technically, tashbīh means "similarity," not necessarily "immanence." I use "immanence" to give the intended "similarity" a sense of "indwelling." I use "God is immanent in the world" instead of "God is similar to the created" to emphasize His "dwelling in the world." Why does this doctrine matter today? Ibn ʿArabī’s teachings bridge the gap between philosophy, spirituality, and modern self-discovery—inviting us to see the world as a reflection of the Divine. Guiding questions: Do you think Ibn ʿArabī’s doctrine of Waḥdat al-Wujūd resolves the paradox of divine transcendence and immanence? How does Ibn ʿArabī’s idea of creation as a mirror help us understand our own existence? Is the world ultimately real or an illusion according to Ibn ʿArabī? What do you think? Can Ibn ʿArabī’s metaphysics provide insights for modern philosophy and psychology? My latest book: Sarayān: The Real’s Permeation: Ibn ʿArabi on the Divine Presence in the Cosmos with Neoplatonic Insights (available in both digital and print formats): https://immortalechoes.org/pages/our-press Visit our Academy of Mystic Poetics and Philosophy, and check out our courses: https://immortalechoes.org/pages/courses If you enjoy the content and wish to support our work, your generosity helps us continue creating: https://immortalechoes.org/pages/donations Watch more from our Ibn Arabi Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqkz7b_183HG0qkYvbH9dyTAWnncKZGLp&si=sCNGBNjB7RRRIZat My recent publications: https://istanbul.academia.edu/RasoulRahbariGhazani #IbnArabi #Sufism #IslamicMysticism #SpiritualWisdom #UnityofExistence #onenessofbeing #wahdat_alwujud
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Ep.3. Ibn Arabi’s "Unity of Existence" (Wahdat al-Wujud) | Sufi Metaphysics & Divine Self-Disclosure
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