University of Tehran
Abstract: (625 Views)
The concept of the spiritual veil (ḥijāb) as a barrier on the path of mystical wayfaring is one of the most significant topics in Islamic mysticism. A spiritual veil obstructs the seeker’s attainment of Divine gnosis, presenting a formidable challenge to overcome. Therefore, this theme has been extensively addressed in Sufi texts. Each mystic has approached the subject of spiritual veils from their own unique perspective, shaped by specific mystical and intellectual considerations. Among these, Abū ʿAbdullāh al-Niffarī and Ibn ʿArabī have offered some of the most detailed and comprehensive discussions on the matter. This article begins by exploring the views of early Sufis on the spiritual veil and then delves into the ideas of al-Niffarī and Ibn ʿArabī, focusing on their conceptions of the quiddity of the spiritual veil, its typology, the method of traversing it, and the identity of the most challenging veil to penetrate. It appears that Ibn ʿArabī was significantly influenced by al-Niffarī’s novel ideas on the spiritual veil, as evidenced by Ibn ʿArabī’s frequent and laudatory references to al-Niffarī’s discussions. The two mystics share a similar perspective on three of the four aspects under consideration. Regarding the quiddity of the spiritual veil, both thinkers perceive every ḥijāb as nothing more than a manifestation of “God’s Face.” Concerning the most challenging veil, both identify the “human soul” as the greatest ḥijāb. As for the means of traversing the veil, they agree that only God’s “light” and “guidance” can enable one to penetrate it. While their typologies of the spiritual ḥijāb differ, both mystics ultimately assert that “everything is a ḥijāb.”.
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