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5.1.5 - Passing Through Baghdad for the First Time (601/1204)

The Mesopotamian region, between the Tigris and the Euphrates, was the center of many human civilizations dating back to 3700 BC, the most important of which are the Sumerian civilization, the Akkadian state, the first Babylonian state, the Kashiites, the Assyrian state, and the Chaldean state that is the second Babylonian, and finally the Persian rule before the Islamic Era.

With the spreading of Islam, especially during the Abbasid period, Iraq became an important political and scientific center, and Baghdad became the world’s cultural and scientific capital until it fell to the Mongols in 656/1258. During the Rashidi era, the Caliph Omar Ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, constructed the cities of Basra and Kufa, and during the Umayyad rule, Iraq was part of the Umayyad State whose capital was Damascus. However, with the Abbasid Caliphate, the Islamic State administration moved to Iraq, and Baghdad, built by the Abbasid, became the capital of science and translation of various previous civilizations that were taking place in the House of Wisdom, founded by the Caliph al-Maamun in 215/830. During the Abbasid era, Iraq was subjected to many revolutions and internal wars until it was overthrown by the Mongol commander Hulagu in 656/1258.

In the first months of 601, Ibn al-Arabi entered Baghdad to stay only for only twelve days, as he intended to go to Mosul to visit Ali Ibn Abdullah Ibn Jamii. Nevertheless, Baghdad no doubt has taken a great place in his heart, and he said in the Meccan Revelations: “Baghdad is my home, I do not see my country in any other place, otherwise I’m inclined to Egypt” [The Meccan Revelations: c. 2, p. 261].

5.1.5.1- Reading the Holy Spirit (Baghdad, 11 Safar 601/1205)