Mysticism of William Blake, the Romantic, in Light of Ibn-E-Arabi’s Philosophy

Abstract

William Blake (1757-1827) is a unique romantic poet who has been labelled unorthodoxly by critics as a visionary, mad, and mystic, Mysticism has multiple facets; however, this study views his poetry considering a Muslim perspective as propounded by Ibn-e-Arabi (1165-1240). He is known as Sheikh-e-Akbar (The Great Master), who has systematised mysticism as per the teachings and scriptures of Islam. The study brings into play Love of Humanity, Love of God, and the Oneness of Being, the concepts given by Arabi to view and interpret the selected poems of Blake. The study contextualises that Blake does not follow any prescribed and institutionalised religion; rather, his poetic persona is a seeker of God, travelling certain stages of the path leading to Him and finally resulting in the Oneness of Being. The study contends that Blake’s poetry and specifically his mysticism can be better explained and understood in terms of the conceptual framework based on the mystical and philosophical ideas of Ibn-e-Arabi, which is a recognised Muslim perspective of mysticism.