Baatil beliefs

Q. It is said that Shaikh Abu Bakr Ibnul Arabi believes in the extension of Nubuwwat. The Qadianis cite such statements for their baatil beliefs. Is there any truth in what is ascribed to Shaikh Ibnul Arabi?

A. Shaikh Ibnul Arabi’s writings are beyond the comprehension of even many Ulama. Misunderstanding the terminology which Shaikh Ibnul Arabi uses in his writings on Tasawwuf has led to many unacquainted people to level all sorts of accusations against the great Shaikh. It is for this reason that Hazrat Moulana Thanwi stated: “The kutub of the Mutaqaddimeen [former Mashaaikh] are for the Mutaqaddimeen. Now, my kutub should be studied.” For us non-entities who lack knowledge of even basic masaail on Deen the kutub of our recent Akaabir—Hazrat Moulana Thanwi, Hazrat Moulana Maseehullah, Hazrat Mufti Mahmood Saheb and others who had gained, directly or indirectly, from the fountain of Hazrat Thanwi’s ma’rifat, should be studied. Suffice to say that Shaikh Ibnul Arabi (Rahmatullahi alaih) never believed and never wrote that a new Nabi with a new Shariat is possible after Nabi Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). Such an averment is pure calumny against the Shaikh; the product of jahaalat and bad comprehension of the illustrious Shaikh’s writings.