Akbarian Anarchism: Ivan Aguéli (d. 1917) on Islam, Freedom and Shariʿa
(2024) Religiographies — Vol. 3, n° 2, p. 6-24 (2024)
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- This article explores the multifaceted legacy of Ivan Aguéli (1869-1917), a pivotal figure in the introduction of Ibn ʿArabi's thought to the West. Aguéli's paradoxical trajectory-encompassing art, anarchism, and Sufism-has elicited diverse interpretations. By situating him firmly within the Akbarian interpretative tradition, the article challenges views of his work as an eclectic appropriation, instead demonstrating its philosophical coherence and grounding in the doctrinal framework of Ibn ʿArabi and his commentators. Aguéli's philosophy highlights a dynamic equilibrium between strict adherence to the shariʿan and intellectual freedom, offering a profound reinterpretation of the shariʿa as a safeguard of individual liberty rather than a constraint. This balance reflects Ibn ʿArabi's harmonisation of intellectual creativity with unwavering commitment to tradition. By synthesizing spirituality, intellectual inquiry, and practical engagement, Aguéli emerges as a significant yet underappreciated modern interpreter of Akbarian thought.
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Vandamme, G. (2024). Akbarian Anarchism: Ivan Aguéli (d. 1917) on Islam, Freedom and Shariʿa. Religiographies, 3(2), 6-24. https://doi.org/10.69125/RELIGIO.2024.V3.N2.6-24 (Original work published 2024)