The Creation and Eternity of the Universe in the Ṣūfī Thought of Abd al-Ḥaqq ibn Sab'īn al-Andalusī: A Dialogue between Philosophy and Mysticism

Abstract

This study examines the innovative philosophical and Ṣūfī perspectives of Abd al-Ḥaqq ibn Sab'īn al-Andalusī (1217–1269) on the theological debate surrounding the creation and eternity of the universe. Centered on his treatise Kalām ʿalā al-Masāʾil al-Ṣiqilliyyā, written in response to questions posed by Emperor Frederick II of Sicily, the article explores Ibn Sabʿīn’s synthesis of Ṣūfī metaphysics, Islamic theology, and Aristotelian philosophy. His distinctive approach, blending logical argumentation with mystical insights, diverges from both Greek naturalism and mainstream Islamic philosophical traditions. Through close analysis of primary texts and contextual examination, the study highlights Ibn Sabʿīn’s engagement with key philosophical and theological schools, including Muʿtazilite thought and the Ashʿarite tradition, while addressing broader interfaith exchanges between Islamic and Christian intellectual traditions during the Almohad period. By challenging prevailing notions of eternity and creation, Ibn Sabʿīn offers an alternative framework rooted in Ṣūfī ontology and epistemology. This work contributes to existing scholarship by illuminating Ibn Sabʿīn’s intellectual originality, situating him at the crossroads of philosophy, mysticism, and intercultural dialogue. It also underscores his relevance to contemporary discussions in Ṣūfī studies, comparative metaphysics, and interfaith relations.