The Metaphysics of Gender in Creation: Ibn ʿArabī on Mary, Jesus, Adam, and Eve

Abstract

Muhyī al-Dīn Ibn al-‘Arabī was born in Murcia in 1165 C.E./560 A.H. and died in Damascus in 1240 C.E./638 A.H. He became arguably the most renowned Sufi metaphysician, and his wellknown honorary title al-Shaykh al-Akbar (“The Greatest Master”) reflects this position. While much is captivating about the life and thought of Ibn ‘Arabī, his perspectives on gender in particular are distinctively striking as they express highly metaphysical, esoteric, and often unconventional interpretations of canonical Muslim writings. This paper examines Ibn ʿArabī’s metaphysics of gender through his depiction of the Adam-Eve creation myth and the Virgin Birth.While Ibn ʿArabī draws a remarkable comparison between the characters of Jesus and Eve, and Mary and Adam, he also delves into a discussion of cosmological principles that centers upon the infinitude of Divine knowledge and power.