The Role of Sufi Women in the Formation of Ibn Arabi's Unity of Being Theory (waḥdat al-wujūd)

Ibn Arabi is considered as a significant figure in mysticism and Sufism. According to the studies on Sufi men and women before Ibn 'Arabi, the presence of Sufi women (such as Rābiʿa al-Adawiyya (Rabia Basri) (d. 135-180 AH) who initiated romantic Sufism) was determining in the course of Ibn 'Arabi’s spiritual evolution; however this fact has been almost neglected. This article narrates and explains the influence of the women on the spiritual and intellectual development of Shaikh-e-Akbar (Ibn 'Arabi).
Feminine intuition as the supreme effect of God's presence and the formation of Shaikh-e-Akbar’s theory of unity of being (waḥdat al-wujūd), which expresses a love process and the unity of lover and beloved are the result of the presence of Sufi women. In fact this mystical monotheistic will reaches its peak by presence of the women.