Emir Abd al-Qadir al-Jazairi and the legacy of Ibn Arabi in Ottoman Damascus

The article analyzes the late period of the life of the hero of the anti-French struggle in Algeria, Emir Abd al-Qadir al-Jazairi (1808—1883) in Ottoman Damascus in 1855—1883. Refusing to continue the fight against the French colonialists after being released from captivity and moving to Ottoman possessions, Abd al-Qadir devoted his later life to charity and teaching the mystical teachings of Muhyi al-Din Ibn Arabi (1165—1240). The activities of Abd al-Qadir in Ottoman Damascus were inscribed in the moral, religious and political context of his era, when the Ottoman Empire was subjected to increasing pressure from the European powers. Abd al-Qadir sought to find an Islamic response to this external challenge through spiritual perfection based on the teachings of Ibn Arabi. Abd al-Qadir al-Jazairi from a young age belonged to the followers of Ibn Arabi and therefore perceived his life in Damascus not as an exile, but as a way of approaching the comprehension of the mystical insights of Ibn Arabi, who at one time also lived for many years in Damascus where he was buried. In Damascus, Abd al-Qadir enjoyed great spiritual authority and provided patronage to his countrymen — immigrants from Algeria and other countries of the Maghreb. The circle of his chosen disciples was also replenished with local Syrian ulama. Under the influence of Abd al-Qadir, close relations were established between immigrants from Algeria and local Sufis on the basis of Islamic mysticism. The intellectual activity of the circle of followers of Abd al-Qadir in Damascus contributed to the strengthening of the position of Sufism in Ottoman Syria on the basis of the spiritual convergence of the beliefs of the followers of various Islamic mystical teachings.

Keywords

Islam, Sufism, Abd al-Qadir al-Jazairi, Ottoman Empire, Damascus, Syria

Received

30.08.2023

Publication date

20.11.2023

Number of characters

36937

Cite

GOST	Zhantiev D. Emir Abd al-Qadir al-Jazairi and the legacy of Ibn Arabi in Ottoman Damascus // ISTORIYA – 2023. – V. 14. – Issue 10 (132) [Electronic resource]. URL: https://history.jes.su/S207987840028762-7-1 (circulation date: 22.07.2024). DOI: 10.18254/S207987840028762-7
MLA	Zhantiev, Dmitry "Emir Abd al-Qadir al-Jazairi and the legacy of Ibn Arabi in Ottoman Damascus." ISTORIYA 14.10 (132) (2023) DOI: 10.18254/S207987840028762-7
APA	Zhantiev D. (2023). Emir Abd al-Qadir al-Jazairi and the legacy of Ibn Arabi in Ottoman Damascus. ISTORIYA 14(10 (132)) DOI: 10.18254/S207987840028762-7

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