Bali Efendi and the Doctrine of the “Five Presences” (al-Ḥaḍarāt al-Khams) in His Sharḥ al-Fuṣūṣ

Bali Efendi (d. 960 AH) was a mystic in the Islamic West and a commentator on Ibn ʿArabī’s mystical teachings. His distinct perspectives, evident in his Sharḥ al-fuṣūṣ, are less explored compared to other commentators. This research seeks to illuminate Bali’s views on a central theme within theoretical mysticism. Using a descriptive-analytic approach and focusing on his Sharḥ al-fuṣūṣ, the study examines the doctrine of the "five presences" (al-ḥaḍarāt al-khams). The findings reveal that while Bali adapts ideas from previous commentators, he does not merely replicate them; instead, he critically engages with the views of al-Qayṣarī and other commentators on Ibn ʿArabī’s works. Bali's interpretation of Ibn ʿArabī’s passages incorporates literary nuances, contextual speech, other works by Ibn ʿArabī, and evidence from Sunni doctrinal consensus. Unlike al-Qayṣarī, Bali does not present his view of the five presences as a separate, organized introduction but integrates it within his commentary on Ibn ʿArabī’s texts. While Bali briefly addresses "aḥadiyya" (Uniqueness) and discusses "wāḥidiyya" (Oneness) more extensively, these concepts are not explicitly listed among the five presences. Most of Bali’s discussion focuses on the doctrine of the perfect human (al-insān al-kāmil), with more limited attention to the other presences.
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