An analysis of Ibn al

224 Pages·2009·5.48 MB·English

by  Zwanzig, Rebekah

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An Analysis ofIbn al-'Arabi's al-Insan al-Kamil, the Perfect Individual, with a Brief
Comparison to the Thought ofSir Muhammad Iqbal
Rebekah Zwanzig, Master ofArts
Philosophy
Submitted in partial fulfillment
ofthe requirements forthe degree of
Master ofArts
Faculty ofPhilosophy, Brock University
St. Catharines, Ontario
©
May, 2008
JAMESAGffiSONLIBRARY
BROCKUNIVERSITY
CATHARINES ON
ST.
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Abstract:
This thesis analyzes four philosophical questions surrounding Ibn al-'Arabi's concept of
the al-iman al-kamil, the Perfect Individual. The Introduction provides a definition of
Sufism, and it situates Ibn al-'Arabi's thought within the broader context ofthe
philosophy ofperfection. Chapter One discusses the transformative knowledge ofthe
Perfect Individual. It analyzes the relationship between reason, revelation, and intuition,
and the different roles they play within Islam, Islamic philosophy, and Sufism. Chapter
Two discusses the ontological and metaphysical importance ofthe Perfect Individual,
exploring the importance ofperfection within existence by looking at the relationship the
Perfect Individual has with God and the world, the eternal and non-eternal. In Chapter
Three the physical manifestations ofthe Perfect Individual and their relationship to the
Prophet Muhammad are analyzed. It explores the Perfect Individual's roles as Prophet,
Saint, and Seal. The final chapter compares Ibn al-'Arabi's Perfect Individual to Sir
Muhammad Iqbal's in order to analyze the different ways perfect action can be
conceptualized. It analyzes the relationship between freedom and action.
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Table of Contents
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I. Introduction 4 .. \.
II. Chapter One 17
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III. Chapter Two 38
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IV. Chapter Three 57
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V. Chapter Four 75
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VI. Conclusion 97
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VII. Bibliography- 101
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