
Inscriptions of Wisdom
The Sufism of Ibn al-?Arabi in the Mirror of Jami
Mukhtar H. Ali(Author)
State University of New York Press
Published on 2. May 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
465 pages
979-8-8558-0364-8 (ISBN)
Description
Two important texts in the Sufi tradition made available together in English for the first time.
Inscriptions of Wisdom brings together, for the first time in English, two pivotal Sufi texts that illuminate Ibn al-?Arabi's (d. 1240) celebrated work Fu?u? al-?ikam. The first, Naqsh al-Fu?u? (the Inscription of the Fu?u?), is Ibn al-?Arabi's own distillation of Fu?u? al-?ikam, presenting a concise yet profound articulation of its core teachings. The second, Naqd al-nu?u? fi shar? Naqsh al-Fu?u? (texts commenting on Naqsh al-Fu?u?), by ?Abd al-Ra?man Jami, is an anthology of carefully selected passages from the earliest and most authoritative interpreters of Fu?u? al-?ikam, enriched with Jami's own insights. Together, these works explore the quintessential knowledge and divine principles embodied by each of the twenty-seven major prophetic figures of the Islamic tradition, from Adam to Muhammad. If Fu?u? al-?ikam represents the culmination of Ibn al-?Arabi's thought, then Naqsh al-Fu?u? distills its very essence and inner mystery. Mukhtar H. Ali's meticulous presentation of the Fu?u? al-?ikam commentarial tradition-featuring the first complete English translation of Jami's Naqd al-nu?u?, chapter-by-chapter analysis, and extensive notes on key Sufi terms and concepts-establishes this volume as a landmark study in Islamic metaphysics and Sufi thought.
Inscriptions of Wisdom brings together, for the first time in English, two pivotal Sufi texts that illuminate Ibn al-?Arabi's (d. 1240) celebrated work Fu?u? al-?ikam. The first, Naqsh al-Fu?u? (the Inscription of the Fu?u?), is Ibn al-?Arabi's own distillation of Fu?u? al-?ikam, presenting a concise yet profound articulation of its core teachings. The second, Naqd al-nu?u? fi shar? Naqsh al-Fu?u? (texts commenting on Naqsh al-Fu?u?), by ?Abd al-Ra?man Jami, is an anthology of carefully selected passages from the earliest and most authoritative interpreters of Fu?u? al-?ikam, enriched with Jami's own insights. Together, these works explore the quintessential knowledge and divine principles embodied by each of the twenty-seven major prophetic figures of the Islamic tradition, from Adam to Muhammad. If Fu?u? al-?ikam represents the culmination of Ibn al-?Arabi's thought, then Naqsh al-Fu?u? distills its very essence and inner mystery. Mukhtar H. Ali's meticulous presentation of the Fu?u? al-?ikam commentarial tradition-featuring the first complete English translation of Jami's Naqd al-nu?u?, chapter-by-chapter analysis, and extensive notes on key Sufi terms and concepts-establishes this volume as a landmark study in Islamic metaphysics and Sufi thought.
Reviews / Votes
"Thanks to Mukhtar H. Ali's laborious efforts, we now have a complete translation of Jami's masterpiece of philosophical Sufism known as Naqd al-nu?u?, which itself is a commentary upon Ibn ?Arabi's own summary of his extremely influential Fu?u? al-?ikam. One of the great merits of Jami's work is that it forms a veritable anthology of the mainstream tradition of the School of Ibn ?Arabi, citing extensively from its major representatives such as Qunawi, Kashani, and Qay?ari. Inscriptions of Wisdom therefore offers contemporary readers a lively presentation of a major Sufi metaphysical text with its robust commentarial procedure, spiritual teachings, and various layers of sophisticated argumentation on full display." - Mohammed Rustom, author of Inrushes of the Heart: The Sufi Philosophy of ?Ayn al-Qu?atMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Albany, NY
United States
Target group
College/higher education
US School Grade: From College Freshman to College Graduate Student
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
1 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight
754 gr
ISBN-13
979-8-8558-0364-8 (9798855803648)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
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Inscriptions of Wisdom
The Sufism of Ibn al-¿Arabi in the Mirror of Jami
E-Book
11/2025
State University of New York Press
€38.99
Available for download
Person
Mukhtar H. Ali is Associate Professor of Islamic Studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He is the author of Philosophical Sufism: An Introduction to the School of Ibn al-?Arabi and The Horizons of Being: The Metaphysics of Ibn al-?Arab in the "Muqaddimat al-Qaysoar."
Content
A Note on Names and Transliteration
Introduction
The Quintessence (Fa??) of Wisdom (?ikma) Concerning...
1. Divinity (Ilahiyya) in the Word of Adam
2. Exhalation (Nafthiyya) in the Word of Seth
3. Glorification (Subbu?iyya) in the Word of Noah
4. Holiness (Quddusiyya) in the Word of Idris
5. Rapturous Love (Muhaymiyya) in the Word of Abraham
6. Veracity (?aqqiyya) in the Word of Isaac
7. Sublimity (?Illiyya) in the Word of Ishmael
8. Spirit (Ru?iyya) in the Word of Jacob
9. Light (Nuriyya) in the Word of Joseph
10. Unity (A?adiyya) in the Word of Hud
11. Opening (Futu?iyya) in the Word of ?ali?
12. The Heart (Qalbiyya) in the Word of Shu?ayb
13. Strength (Malkiyya) in the Word of Lot
14. Destiny (Qadariyya) in the Word of Ezra
15. Prophethood (Nabawiyya) in the Word of Jesus
16. Mercy (Ra?maniyya) in the Word of Solomon
17. Existence (Wujudiyya) in the Word of David
18. The Soul (Nafsiyya) in the Word of Jonah
19. The Unseen (Ghaybiyya) in the Word of Job
20. Majesty (Jalaliyya) in the Word of John
21. Sovereignty (Malikiyya) in the Word of Zachariah
22. Intimacy (Inasiyya) in the Word of Elias
23. Excellence (I?saniyya) in the Word of Luqman
24. Leadership (Imamiyya) in the Word of Aaron
25. Supremacy (?Uluwiyya) in the Word of Moses
26. Recourse (?amadiyya) in the Word of Khalid
27. Uniqueness (Fardiyya) in the Word of Mu?ammad
Translator's Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Index of Qur?anic Passages
Index of Hadiths and Sayings
Index of Poetic Verses
General Index
Introduction
The Quintessence (Fa??) of Wisdom (?ikma) Concerning...
1. Divinity (Ilahiyya) in the Word of Adam
2. Exhalation (Nafthiyya) in the Word of Seth
3. Glorification (Subbu?iyya) in the Word of Noah
4. Holiness (Quddusiyya) in the Word of Idris
5. Rapturous Love (Muhaymiyya) in the Word of Abraham
6. Veracity (?aqqiyya) in the Word of Isaac
7. Sublimity (?Illiyya) in the Word of Ishmael
8. Spirit (Ru?iyya) in the Word of Jacob
9. Light (Nuriyya) in the Word of Joseph
10. Unity (A?adiyya) in the Word of Hud
11. Opening (Futu?iyya) in the Word of ?ali?
12. The Heart (Qalbiyya) in the Word of Shu?ayb
13. Strength (Malkiyya) in the Word of Lot
14. Destiny (Qadariyya) in the Word of Ezra
15. Prophethood (Nabawiyya) in the Word of Jesus
16. Mercy (Ra?maniyya) in the Word of Solomon
17. Existence (Wujudiyya) in the Word of David
18. The Soul (Nafsiyya) in the Word of Jonah
19. The Unseen (Ghaybiyya) in the Word of Job
20. Majesty (Jalaliyya) in the Word of John
21. Sovereignty (Malikiyya) in the Word of Zachariah
22. Intimacy (Inasiyya) in the Word of Elias
23. Excellence (I?saniyya) in the Word of Luqman
24. Leadership (Imamiyya) in the Word of Aaron
25. Supremacy (?Uluwiyya) in the Word of Moses
26. Recourse (?amadiyya) in the Word of Khalid
27. Uniqueness (Fardiyya) in the Word of Mu?ammad
Translator's Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Index of Qur?anic Passages
Index of Hadiths and Sayings
Index of Poetic Verses
General Index