Ibn al-'Arabi's concept of dreams
Abstract As a universally experienced phenomenon which transcends time, place and people the dream has perplexed humankind over the ages. Much thought and research have gone into discovering its nature and causes, the role it plays in societies as well as interpreting its content. The same preo...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
IIUM Press
2021
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/95451/7/95451_Ibn%20al-%27Arabi%27s%20concept%20of%20dreams.pdf http://irep.iium.edu.my/95451/13/95451_Ibn%20al-%27Arabi%27s%20concept%20of%20dreams_SCOPUS.pdf http://irep.iium.edu.my/95451/ https://journals.iium.edu.my/shajarah/index.php/shaj/article/view/998/451 |
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| Institution: | Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia |
| Language: | English English |
| Summary: | Abstract
As a universally experienced phenomenon which transcends time,
place and people the dream has perplexed humankind over the ages.
Much thought and research have gone into discovering its nature and
causes, the role it plays in societies as well as interpreting its
content. The same preoccupation with it can be said to be found
among Muslims who view it as a rich source of knowledge. The
article looks at one of the greatest Muslim sages Ibn al-‘Arabī’s
contribution to understanding the dream (ru’yā) which he conceived
as an imaginal (mithāl; khayāl) reality manifested in both the
objective and subjective realms of existence (wujūd) and hence has
an intermediate (barzakh) nature. His conception of dreams is thus
grounded in metaphysics. It is based on the Qur’ān and Ḥadīth as
veritable sources and is considered to be one of the most profound
ever expounded on the subject. It contrasts with the modern Western
perspective which focuses on the psychological, sociological and
historical aspects of the phenomenon. It brings into question the
weakening power of the human faculty of imagination (khayāl) in the
modern era as a source of knowledge of the metaphysical and
spiritual realms, represented by symbols and images (amthāl) in the
cosmos, the world of Images (ālam al-mithāl) and the human soul.
Hence, the science of the interpretation of dreams (ta‘bīr) is
significant in revealing the meanings of the nature of existence and
reality. |
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