Residence and teaching
Damascus became Ibn al-ʿArabī’s principal home in 620 AH, approximately 1223–1224. This period enabled sustained writing, teaching and revision of material gathered during his travels. Residence should not be interpreted as decisive evidence against every possible later journey: newly read documents require their own investigation.
Fuṣūṣ and the two Futūḥāt versions
The preface to the Fuṣūṣ describes a vision in Damascus in 627 AH/1229 and frames the book through it. The first Futūḥāt version was completed in 629 AH and rewritten between 632 and 636 AH. The distinction between a work and its versions matters when comparing manuscripts and editions; revision is more than a change in pagination.
Ṣāliḥiyya and Qāsiyūn
He died in 638 AH/1240 and was buried in Ṣāliḥiyya at the foot of Qāsiyūn. His name remained present both in the locality and in circles of reading and copying. The tomb and later buildings belong to the history of reception; direct textual transmission is studied through disciples and reading records, especially those involving al-Qūnawī.
Sources and further reading
The source language appears beside each link. External books and sources may remain in their original languages.
- ابن العربي: السيرة التعريفية العربية
- بداية تأليف الفتوحات المكية العربية
- فصوص الحكم: خطبة الكتاب العربية
- صدر الدين القونوي في دمشق العربية