Shiite Thinkers and Ibn al-Arabi

Ibn al-Arabi, and views and positions which have been taken about him as an influential thinker, are among most remarkable consideration in the history of Shiite thought. Despite that some Shiite philosophers and mystics have agreed with him, there were thinkers who have criticized him and have rejected his thoughts. The spiritual relation between Shiite and Islamic mysticism on the one hand, and the Ibn al-Arabi’s interests to and admirations of Shiite Imams and authorities (peace be upon them) on the other hand, can be considered as a ground for the tendency of Shiite philosophers and mystics to study and comment his works. However he also has always been sarcastically criticized because of his pantheistic positions and some other phrases that show he is a Sunni Muslim. This article deals with some of these censures on the one hand and those infatuations on the other hand. Thus, the main question in this article is that: what is the Shiite thinkers’ view toward Ibn al-Arabi?