Introduction

The spiritual teachings of the Qur’an have always played a central role in the life of Muslims who aspired to refine their character through God-consciousness, devotions and contemplation. The nascent intellectual climate of Islam ushered in new branches of knowledge through the translation of Greek works, and philosophy, among other disciplines, entered the Muslim mindset. To better understand the nature and significance of philosophical Sufism, one must begin with an overview of the main philosophical movements that emerged in the Islamic world. Philosophical Sufism refers to the school of Ibn al-'Arabi. Ibn Turka Isfahani was an Illuminationist interpreter of Peripatetic philosophy and a commentator on Ibn al-'Arabi’s writings. The chapter identifies Ibn al-'Arabis immediate circle and the formative figures of the early generations upon whose edifice the whole tradition relies. It also presents an overview on the key concepts discussed in this book.