The Reflection of Hakim Tirmizi's Mystical Ideas in Ibn Arabi's Works

The present article studies the common concerns of al-Hakim al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Arabi with regard to issues including wisdom, sainthood (wilāyah), interpretation, and different grades of proximity (manāzil al-qurb). In addition, attention is paid to those original views presented by al-Tirmidhi which provided a basis for Ibn Arabi to develop his own theories. Concepts such as Stations (Manāzilah), the King of the Kingdom (Malik al-Mulk), Servanthood (‘Ubūdīyyah) and the Seal of Sainthood (khātam al-wilāyah) are thus referred to in the works of al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Arabi. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the former’s discussions pertaining to the elements of prophethood (nubuwwah) and speaking (tahadduth) paved the way for Ibn Arabi’s notion of the Prophets of the Saints (Anbīyā’ al-Ulyā’). Finally, some similarities between Ibn Arabi’s the Seal of Sainthoodand that of al-Tirmidhi have been explained.