A Critique of the Concept of "Motion" in Cosmic Mysticism (Halqe)

Motion is an important concept in Islamic philosophy, theology and mysticism. Its importance in mysticism is directly related to creation and manifestation of God. Motion, in Cosmic Mysticism, has a central importance in creativity of God, explaining the levels of existence and explaining the diagrammatic aspect of the universe, which emphasizes on the unreality and invalidity of the material world. Considering that Cosmic Mysticism is very indebted to Ibn Arabi in the concept of motion and its explanation, this article tries to examine how this borrowing occurs, and how much it successes, with descriptive-analytical method. Although Cosmic Mysticism is strongly influenced by Ibn Arabi’s mysticism in explaining the concept of motion, it has failed to exploit it and draw a precise and clear framework for it. Lack of coherence in the cosmological and methodological explanation, the deficiency in relationship between “motion” and love, and the confusion in its explanation, as well as ambiguity in explaining the final stage of human ascension are among the failures, which has associated “motion” in Cosmic Mysticism with many ambiguities and shortcomings. The numerous content and methodological deficiencies of this new movement have caused it to never gain the necessary strength to coexist with other mystical ideas.