Some Observations During a Visit to Palestine by Ibn al-‘Arabī of Seville in 1092–1095

Ibn al-'Arabī, from whose writings several excerpts whose locale is Palestine will be presented in this article, was a young Spanish scholar of distinguished origin. Born in Seville in 1076, he visited the eastern Islamic territories (masriq) towards the end of his teenage years (approximately between 1092 and 1100). Contrary to common tradition, some of his personal impressions were incorporated in his various works. When older, he fulfilled several public duties in Seville, including being appointed a judge. Forced to leave following the invasion of the Almohads (al-Muwaḥḥidūn), Ibn al-'Arabī went to Morocco where he spent a year in jail. He died, near Fez, in 1148.