The Depth of the Servant’s Existence
Munyiddin Ibn al-Arabi, in his work *Futuhat al-Makkiyya*, deeply analyzes the secret of human existence and its relationship with Allah. According to him, the servant comes into being through their own powers; however, this existence originates from the Truth (Haqq). While the servant possesses apparent limitations and createdness, within them lies an image of the Truth’s boundlessness. This reveals the fact that humans are simultaneously a being praising Allah and a manifestation of the Truth – creating a subtle and meaningful unity overall.
Allah’s Self-Glorification and Humanity’s Role
According to Ibn al-Arabi, Allah glorifies Himself. This glorification also manifests in human form. Humans are like a mirror reflecting the attributes of Allah, and through this, existence gains meaning. The servant’s actions, obedience, sins – these elements, whether consistent or contradictory with their image, are actually expressions of the manifestation of the Truth. Through acts of worship such as prayer, a dialogue is established between the servant and Allah; here, the servant offers an expression, and the Truth accepts it and responds, thus completing the meaning of the act of worship.
The Importance of the Whole: A Holistic Approach
In the teachings of Munyiddin Arabi, the concept of ‘the whole’ holds a significant place. It is emphasized that both the apparent (visible) and hidden (invisible) aspects of the servant must be considered together. For worship to be meaningful, it is necessary to focus on the totality of the servant’s being; for the servant exists only with their wholeness. While Allah is independent of the worlds in His own right, He uses an expression like ‘being indebted to the whole’ with respect to Allah, which demonstrates the importance of *ihsan* (excellence). Sincerity (*ikhlas*) becomes possible through the completion of worship with both its apparent and hidden aspects.
Ways of Knowing Truth and Sincerity
Ibn al-Arabi shows different ways of knowing Allah; it is possible to try to understand through theoretical thought, listen to the address of the Sharia (Islamic law), or combine both methods. However, one must be aware of the truth that we cannot know Allah as He knows Himself. Sincerity (*ikhlas*) means dedicating worship solely to Allah and performing it through His means; because humans are the visible face of the act of worship, while the depth is the essence of the Truth. Therefore, dedicating worship to Allah for Allah’s sake is truly turning towards Him.