Few Figures in the islamic History of Portugal seem so intriguing as Ibn Qasi(ar), the Sufi Master from Al'Rihanna (Arrifana). The man who led a Sufi revolt against the Almoravid central Power. A man who clearly shows the Shia influence in the AlGharbian Sufi themes.
Together with a group of Muridin this Master took The South of Portugal by assault in a mix of Theology, Poetry, Mystical experiences and Holy war.
Branded as an
herectic by many, as a traitor by others, Ibn Qasi (ar)was probably all this but much more, His Magistral Treatsie -"the removal of the sandals" an allusion of Allah's command to Musa (Moses) (as) granted him the admiration of the Sheik Al akbar (Ibn Arabi)(ar) who saw in him a Master of High Maqama (station). Ibn Arabi (ar) devoted some of his writtings to Ibn Qasi(ar) in the form of commentaries.I intend to develop this theme in here, as he his an unmissable piece in the Islamic Portuguese Puzzle.
For now I am showing on the left the cover page of a thesis wrote some decades ago in aUS University on his History and his Revolt against Central Power which would have repercurssions in the formation of Portugal separating the AlGharb from the Central AlAndaluz, therefore paving the way in the south to the separation of what would become Portugal to what would become Spain. A similar Job was being done in the northern Christian Lands where Afonso Henriques (mentioned by arabic sources as the Ibn Al Riques) was fighting against the Castillian Kings for the Independence of Portugal.
Just some years ago the Council of Mertola (Martula) city conquered by Ibn Qasi(ar) who ruled it at least for 2 years built a statue in commemoration of this huge figure in the history of Southern Portugal.
There is worth mentioning as well a beautiful book written by Adalberto alves (see mention to him in this blog) on Ibn Qasis' Philosophy. (ar)
The translation of the book title would be something like "The Sandals of the Master" a clear reference to Ibn Qasi's(ar) treatsie "the Removal of the Sandals", this book revolves around Ibn Qasi's Philosophy, Sufism and History.
Once again we are all in debt towards Adalberto alves who also included some excerpts of The Masters book which some copies still exist in Turkish Museums. "Khal al- Na 'layn" is the arabic original for "the removal of the sandals" which is a metaphor for the removal of material goods and desires, for the removal of the dunya's veil from our eyes. Some scholars point out the possibility of also mentioning the idea of removing duality (a pair of sandals) therefore of affirming Tawid the Unity of Allah and the Unity of Being (Wadhat al Wujud)-One of the most basic Sufi tenets in most of the Sufi silsilas or branches.
Ibn Qasi had according to many premonitive powers
, one of his earlier texts seems like a chilling vision of what was to come, it is a chronological description of his uprise (which was devoid of material inetrests-nor seet or bitter), of his consagration and in the month of Jumada his death in the year 546 A.H...."From the Safar's Moon a power came to me
which wasn't sweet or bitter
In the months of Rabi i had the Position
from where I got my fame
And in Jumada at least will end
this pain that time will erase"
.JPG)
