Understanding The Science of Letters In The Light Of The Sufism Of Ibn ‘Arabī
| Main Author: | Susilo, Benny |
|---|---|
| Format: | Thesis NonPeerReviewed Book |
| Bahasa: | eng |
| Terbitan: |
, 2011
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: |
http://digilib.sadra.ac.id/4/1/summary%20thesis.pdf http://digilib.sadra.ac.id/4/ |
Daftar Isi:
- The reality of extraordinary actions breaking of habit (kharq al-'âdah) is undeniable if it is considered from the reason point of view and moreover from the trustworthy traditions. Some prominent muslim scholars, like Ibn Sînâ, Ibn 'Arabi and Mulla Sadrâ have established the foundations of such actions being brought out by certain people with some specific requirements. Some of those actions are subject to be learnt and some are not. Those which are subject to be learnt are like sorcery, talismans, Sha'badha and nîranjât. Those which are not subject to be learnt are mu'jizah (miracle of the prophet) and karamah (miracle of the saint). It is the science of letters ('ilm al-hurûf) which is subject to be learnt and by which people may bring out extra-ordinary actions. Empirical evidences concerning extra ordinary actions generated through utilization of this science, as reported by Ibn Khaldun in Muqaddimah, are undoubtedly valid. Hâjî Khalîfah in Kashf al-Zunûn notes more than two hundred works in this field. But now, the development of the science of letters becomes stagnant. Though it is still practiced, particularly in some circles of the Sufi order, new genuine work in this field is almost amounted to nothing. One of the causes of stagnancy is the opinion of most Muslim that the science of letters is superstitious, unscientific and even judged to be infidel and heretical. Moreover, in the science of letters remains a theoretical problem insisting answer that is the proof of the relation between given practice and effect results from the practice. There are many benefits yielded from this science, as asserted by proponents of this science, such as ability of seeing spirits working behind the corporeal world and healing some diseases which are medically difficult to be cured like insanity and leprosy. But, merely devoting attention to such superficial benefits is absolutely not better than the negative opinion mentioned above which prevents people to glance at this science. This is because, this science is not only enable people to exercise free disposal(taşarruf) in corporeal world but also paving the path through which people may enter to the reality of the letters in the realm of meaning, even to the reality of divine names as the source of the existence of the letters. Therefore, it is very important to establish the argument answering the theoretical problem mentioned above. This thesis aims to elaborate the science of letters concerning its subject matter, foundations, problems and practices and to analyze the relation between the practice of this science and the effect generated through the practice by applying Ibn 'Arabî's view. The important task going to be undertaken is examining the hypothesis that the letters are the origin of the effects in the concrete external reality. The rejection of this hypothesis implies the letters and their peculiar features are merely convention amongst a group of people which has no correspondence to the concrete external reality. Ibn 'Arabî's view is assigned as the basis of analysis because he is the only one who completely described the role of the letters in various levels of the self manifestation of God.