The Scientific And Religious Tourism Journey Of Abu Bakr Ibn Arabi (468-543 Ah) Through His Book "Law Of Interpretation": A Study In The Jurisprudence Of Travel"

Abstract

Biographies and travel narratives are considered tributaries of history, presenting individuals, groups, nations, states and empires. These biographies, with their diverse sources and methods, focused particularly on scholars, celebrities, and prominent figures in various fields, including law and religion. They became the primary source for defining any prominent figure. Some scholars documented their own travels, detailing their experiences and encounters, such as the pilgrimage to Mecca or visits to other holy sites. Among these luminaries was Imam Malik Abu Bakr Ibn al-Arabi, a judge, jurist and learned scholar who wrote a distinctive travelogue worthy of study and reflection. He titled his book "The Arrangement of the Journey to Encourage Religion", but unfortunately only fragments of it survive in his other works, such as "The Law of Interpretation". Our work here aims to compare 'The Law of Interpretation' with 'The Arrangement of the Journey', thus bringing together the aspects of scholarly travel and religious tourism through a descriptive and analytical reading of these texts. This scholarly journey combines insights into jurisprudence and religious tourism in major centres of learning and holy places, presented in a clear literary style. Abu Bakr Ibn al-Arabi, one of the pioneers in documenting journeys

 between Al-Andalus and the Hijaz, provides a descriptive, analytical and complementary account.