An Analytical Comparison of Ibn Arabi and Aziz Nasafi’s Ontological Views

Unity of existence, arrangement of levels of existence, and perfect man are the significant mystical subjects that have been consistently considered by thinkers and scholars of Islamic mystical tradition. Taking an analytical-descriptive method, the present study aims to draw the ontology of Ibn Arabi and Aziz Nasafi, the two mystics of the first and second traditions, with respect to the creation of the world and its levels and also to present a consistent model based on fundamentals and structures of their thought, the extent Aziz Nasafi have been influenced by Ibn Arabi and his original theories. Explanation and analysis of Aziz Nasafi’s views about existence reveal that he should be regarded among mystics of the second tradition, albeit with his familiarity with the fundamentals of the first tradition. Aziz Nasafi’s ontological views are informed by those of Ibn Arabi and his followers, yet since Nasafi displays originality in mystical subjects, he has likewise novelty in ontological views.