Sufi Concepts: Istilahat al-Sufiyya (Book)

Sufi Concepts – Istılâhâtu’s‑Sûfiyye is a work by Abdürrezzak Kâşânî, who lived in the 14th century and was one of the prominent representatives of the school of Muhyiddin Ibn al-Arabi. Published in September 2024 by Dergâh Yayınları as part of its Islamic Classics series, this book is among the first comprehensive studies to systematically address Sufi terminology. The work is organized in dictionary format, analyzing the conceptual framework of the Akbari tradition and the doctrine of wahdat al-wujud.

Subject

The text takes the form of a dictionary defining approximately 500 Sufi terms in alphabetical order according to the abjad system. The author presents concepts derived from Ibn al-Arabi both verbatim and through interpretation and expansion. Explanations of the terms are structured within both scholarly and Sufi contexts, clearly situating Ibn al-Arabi within the Akbari tradition. In this regard, the work serves as both a guide to classical Sufi texts and a reference source for subsequent theoretical studies.

Themes

• Doctrine of Wahdat al-Wujud: The text explains how concepts define the ontological center of existence.
• Akbari Tradition: A systematic conceptual presentation of the Ibn al-Arabi tradition is provided.
• Terminological Analysis: The historical and cultural context of the terms is examined through the dictionary format.
• Intertextual Engagement: Kâşânî’s direct and interpretive contributions to Ibn al-Arabi’s writings are analyzed.

Style and Presentation

Abdürrezzak Kâşânî employs a clear and precise style, adopting an encyclopedic dictionary approach to define each term. Definitions are carefully presented with logical systematicity, illustrative examples, and precise quotations from Ibn al-Arabi. The work functions both as a reference and a foundational text for classical Sufi education and academic research.