Ta’wil as the Manifestation of Divine Names: A Comparative Study of Interpretation in Ibn Arabi’s Mysticism and Kabbalah

Abstract

This study presents a comparative examination of the concept of ta’wil (esoteric interpretation) in the mysticism of Ibn Arabi and the Kabbalistic tradition, focusing on the idea of “ta’wil as the manifestation of divine names.” The central question of the study concerns how interpretation in these two traditions transcends the level of a merely exegetical method and becomes an existential, visionary, and ontological process. The research adopts a descriptive-analytical approach based on primary texts and major scholarly studies in Islamic and Jewish mysticism. The findings indicate that in Ibn Arabi’s thought, ta’wil is grounded in the doctrines of the Unity of Being, divine self-disclosure, and the system of divine names. Through interpretation, the seeker moves beyond the outward form of the text toward deeper levels of meaning and the realization of the unity of truth. In contrast, Kabbalistic interpretation is structured around concepts such as Ein Sof, Sefirot, sacred language, divine names, and Tikkun. Through uncovering the symbolic relations embedded within the sacred text, the interpreter participates in the manifestation and restoration of the cosmic order. Both traditions regard the sacred text as a locus of divine manifestation and understand meaning as multilayered, dynamic, and dependent upon the existential condition of the interpreter. Despite these similarities, the ultimate aim of interpretation differs in each tradition. In Ibn Arabi’s mysticism, ta’wil culminates in the realization of the Unity of Being and the perception of the oneness underlying all multiplicity, whereas in Kabbalah it leads to participation in the restoration of cosmic harmony and sacred order. The study concludes that ta’wil in both traditions can be understood as a form of participation in the manifestation of truth, in which the human being is not merely an interpreter of the text but an active participant in the unfolding of meaning and the experience of the sacred.