Ibn Arabi said, “العبد رب و الرب عبد” or “al-`abd-u rabb-un wa-r-rabb-u `abd-un” (the slave is the lord and the lord is the slave).” Sufis claim that such statements were always considered to be the most elevated exposition of mystical thought in Islam, and therefore unsuitable for the untrained mind. Ibn Arabi has also said, “الرب رب في التنزل والعبد عبد في الترقى” or “ar-rabb-u rabb-un f? t-tanazzul-i wa-l-`abd-u `abd-un f? t-taraqq?” (The lord is a lord in his descent [to his creations] and a slave is a slave in rising). in Fusoos Al-Hikam” and “Al-Ahkaam. Is such aqeedah right?IF yes what does it mean, please explain it clearly.
Answer:
(Fatwa: 706/D=6/K)
Common Muslims should not study such books which are beyond their understanding. They should only follow the beliefs that are clearly mentioned in the Quran and Hadith, which have no vagueness or confusion. They should only believe that the tasawwuf which is proved and supported by the Quran and Hadith is correct.
Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband