2.4.3.10 - The Story of Arresting al-Ureybi

In the Holy Spirit, Ibn al-Arabi mentions that al-Ureybi was once taken captive, along with others, by the Christians. He knew that this would happen before it took place and he accordingly warned the members of the caravan in which he was traveling that they would all be taken captive on the next day. The very next morning, as he had said, the Enemy ambushed them and captured every last man of them. To him, however, they showed great respect and provided comfortable quarters and servants for him. after a short time he arranged his release from the foreigners for the sum of five hundred dinars and traveled to our part of the country.

When he had arrived it was suggested to him that the money be collected for him from two or three persons. To this he replied, No! I would only want it from as many people as possible; indeed, were it possible I would obtain it from everyone in small amounts, for God has told me that in every soul weighed in the balance on the Last Day there is something worth saving from the fire. In this way I would take the good in every man for the nation of Muhammad.

In al-Durrah al-Fakhirah, Ibn al-Arabi adds some details about this story, that he and his fellow-travelers were ambushed just three miles outside his native town to which he was returning from Seville. It is also related there that he remained with his captors for six months.