Journey to the Lord of Power | Book review | MICHAEL SELLS

The book “Journey to the Lord of Power” has some limitations. It was published with the help of the Halveti-Jerrahi Order of America and aims to be both devotional and scholarly. However, it lacks detailed explanations in the text and has a few inconsistencies. For instance, the word “barzakh” is translated as “interval” in the text but confusingly as “purgatory” in the explanation of a picture in the book.

The introduction by Sheikh Muzaffer Ozak al-Jerrahi has some issues. Despite these drawbacks, the book is valuable for a few reasons. The translation is graceful and provides an accessible introduction to Ibn ‘Arabi’s thoughts. The excerpts from ‘Abd al-Karim Jili’s commentary offer insights into the later commentator’s understanding of Ibn ‘Arabi’s work. The book sheds light on one of Ibn ‘Arabi’s clearer essays, consolidating principles found scattered in his larger works into a short and compelling exposition.