Barzakh - Barzakh in the writings of Muhyi al-Din ibn al-`Arabi (d. 638 /1240). 1
al-Futuhat al-Makkiyya section 63 - Vol.1 page 304-7.
On the Gnosis (fi'l-ma`rifat) of the Remnant of the People (baqa' al-nas) in the Barzakh which lieth between the mortal world and [that of the awakening on the Day of] Resurrection (bayn al-dunya wa'l-ba`th)."
Towards a Translation of section 63 by Stephen Lambden, UC Merced August 2025.
The Initial nine line Poem in Section 63 (vol. 1 p. 304)
بين القيامة والدنيا لذي نظر * مراتب برزخيات لها سور
- [1] [Barzakh is] Betwixt the "Resurrection" (al-qiyamat) and the Mortal World (al-dunya'). it is that which may be Glimpsed (nazar)! Tis but a Barzakh related Waystation (maratib barzakhiyyat) characterized by "Foms" / "Images" (suwar)!
تحوي على حكم ما قد كان صاحبها * قبل الممات عليه اليوم فاعتبروا
- [2] [Barzakh] Its reality may encompass whatever be decreed that hath indeed a Counterpart [Archetype] (sahib)! This Prior to the Death (al-mamat) which cometh upon it on the "Day" [of resurrection]. So should they contemplate for
لها على الكل أقدام وسلطنة * تبدي العجائب لا تبقي ولا تذر
- [3] [Barzakh] Its Reality encompasses everything (al-kull) with Firmness of Presience (iqdam) and Mighty [Creative] Power (sultan). It comes to express great wonders (al-`aja'ib) though such may not remain nor come to be scattered abroad [outwardly realized]!
لها مجال رحيب في الوجود بلا * تقيد وهي لا عين ولا أثر
[4] [Barzakh] For it there is a Power (majal) which is unconfined (rahib) throughout Existence (al-wujud), expressing Positivity, "Yes" (bala)!
تقول للحق كن والحق خالقها * فكيف يخرج عن أحكامها بشر
[5] [Barzakh] It addresses the True One (al-haqq) [saying] "Be!" (kun) and the True One (al-haqq) He forthwith creates it! So How is it that it emerges on account of such Dictates (ahkam), as a "Good News!" (bashar)!
فيها العلوم وفيها كل قاصمة * فيها الدلائل والإعجاز والعبر
لولا الخيال لكنا اليوم في عدم * ولا انقضى غرض فينا ولا وطر
كان سلطانها إن كنت تعقلها * الشرع جاء به والعقل والنظر
من الحروف لها كاف الصفات فما * تنفك عن صور إلا أتت صور
♦
قولنا كان سلطانها برفع سلطانها أي سلطان الخيال هو عين كان
فهي خير وسلطانها مبتدأ تقدير الكلام سلطان حضرة الخيال من الألفاظ هو كان اعلم
الله عليه وسلم اعبد الله كأنك تراه هو معنى قوله صلىأن البرزخ عبارة عن أمرفاصل بين أمرين لا يكون متطرفا أبدا
Our statement was an expression of its Mighty Power (sultan) through the lifting up of its [own] mighty power (sultan); that is to say, the mighty power of the imagination (sultan al-khiyal) which is a [personalized human] "Essence-Entity" (`ayn) even as God (Allah) overshadowing him and expressing peace through utter servitude before God (Allah). Such is even as you seeing Him for He is expressed as the meaningfulness of His saying - blessing and peace [be upon Him]. Such is what is Goodness (khair)
