2.4.2.6 - Some Early Charismata due to Shaykh Abu Madyan (Seville, before 580/1184)

We also mentioned at the beginning of this chapter that Shaykh Yusuf al-Kumi was once accompanied by some of his disciples, including Ibn al-Arabi, to al-Montiar, a high mountain a few miles away from Seville. Shaykh Muhyiddin adds in the Holy Spirit that when they wanted to return to the city, Shaykh Yusuf rode his horse while Ibn al-Arabi was holding the reins, and the Shaykh was reciting some of the virtues of Shaykh Abu Madyan and his dignities, may Allah be pleased with him.

So much absorbed by the speech, Ibn al-Arabi was so overwhelmed with the words of his Shaykh and his description of Abu Madyan that he completely lost himself, only looking at the face of his shaykh most of the times, while Shaykh Yusuf looked at him and smiled, and often whispered his horse and accelerate with him. Then he halted and said to him: Look what you left behind? At that Shaykh Muhyiddin looked back and saw the path where he walked was all full of thorns up to the flank while that were he was waling was flattened to the ground, because he was treading on it.

Shaykh Yusuf said to him: Look at your feet! He did not see any trace of thorns or injuries. He said to him again: Look at your dress! He did not see any trace as well. Then Shaykh Yusuf said to him: This is a blessing due to our remembrance of Shaykh Abu Madyan, may Allah be pleased with him. My son: keep on to the Way and you will be successful. Then the shaykh drove his horse and left Ibn al-Arabi behind him.

There is no doubt that this incident, which most probably occurred before he entered the Way of God Almighty, had a great impact on Ibn al-Arabi and perhaps that was one of the main motive that led him to take the Way of Sufism.

Shaykh Muhyiddin then added that when they arrived to the city of Seville, he sat with his Shaykh for the afternoon, but then he wanted to go out, but Shaykh Yusuf said to him: What is your business? He replied: I have four oblations that I need to finish today, and for several days I was not able to find the people with whom I have this business. Shaykh Yusuf smiled and said to him: if you leave me now and walk away, you will not find them! Then I ask you to stay with me to talk to you about the states of Shaykh Abu Madyan, may Allah be pleased with him, and I guarantee to you that your work will be done.

Then he sat as described until the time of the evening prayer is almost due. Then the Shaykh told him: go now to your home, and before you do the evening prayer your needs shall be fulfilled! Ibn al-Arabi then went out and the Sun was setting down, and he arrived home and the muezzin was calling for prayer. He then swears by God that all his work was performed before he finished the evening prayer!