The science of letters, known among Muslims as simiya, is a discipline concerned with metaphysical realities and the spiritual influence of letters. It differs fundamentally from the linguistic sciences developed by scholars such as al-Sibawayh, Khalil ibn Ahmad, and al-Farabi. Within the Akbarian school, this science evolved from a symbolic and esoteric tradition into an intellectually coherent field of ontological and epistemological inquiry. Rooted in the thought of the Ikhwan al-Safa and Ibn Masarra of Andalusia, Ibn Arabi transformed the science of letters into a philosophical and mystical framework through complex interpretive methods, intellectual reasoning, and intuitive unveiling. He transcended the boundaries of talismanic and occult practices such as jafr, which many had claimed to possess miraculous powers, and instead offered a comprehensive vision in which letters became the key to understanding divine manifestation and the structure of being.

In Ibn Arabi’s metaphysical worldview, letters are not mere linguistic signs but living entities endowed with divine essence. He regarded them as a sacred ummah—a community among divine communities—each possessing its own prophet, law, and divine duty. These spiritual beings are subject to divine command but not prohibition; they belong to the realm of presence and manifestation rather than negation. Every letter, in his view, embodies a specific reality of the Divine Names (Asma’ Allah), and understanding the true meaning of a letter is akin to participating in its hymnic glorification and perceiving the principles of creation that transcend ordinary human comprehension. Yet, human intellect can still grasp partial reflections of these higher realities.

Ibn Arabi’s reflections on letters and their cosmic roles are presented in his major works, especially al-Futuhat al-Makkiyya and al-Mabadi wa al-Ghayat fi Ma‘ani al-Huruf wa al-Ayat. In these texts, he conceives letters as luminous beings signifying distinct levels of existence. The science of letters, for him, forms a bridge between linguistic understanding and metaphysical knowledge. Through the study of the structure, order, and symbolism of letters, one gains deeper access to the meanings of the divine words (Kalimāt Allah) and to the mystery of revelation itself. Thus, Ibn Arabi elevated the science of letters from a magical practice to a sophisticated mystical discipline in which meaning and being are intrinsically interwoven.

Furthermore, Ibn Arabi introduced new theoretical constructs within this science, such as the concepts of the “Supreme Letters,” the “Comprehensive Letters,” and the “Boundaries of Letters.” Through these, he asserted that letters are not merely linguistic units but foundational elements of creation itself, each contributing uniquely to the harmony of the cosmos. The comprehension of these structures leads to a metaphysical unveiling of the creative principles underlying existence and reveals how divine realities manifest through language.

Ibn Arabi’s engagement with the science of letters is rooted in his personal mystical discoveries and divine inspirations rather than inherited doctrines. He acknowledged his debt to previous masters yet claimed that the truths of this science were directly unveiled to him through spiritual illumination. Accordingly, he emphasized that those who follow his path must rely on kashf (unveiling) and direct insight rather than imitation or speculation. This stance asserts the originality of his method and opens the door for future seekers to continue his path of discovery.

The impact of Ibn Arabi’s interpretation of the science of letters extended far beyond his lifetime. His ideas profoundly influenced later Muslim thinkers, mystics, and philosophers across regions such as the Maghreb, Andalusia, Syria, and Persia. Many sought to integrate his doctrines into broader systems of Islamic thought, linking the science of letters with metaphysics, theology, and hermeneutics. In this expanded framework, language was understood as a mirror of existence, and letters as elemental symbols of divine creativity. Consequently, after Ibn Arabi, the science of letters evolved into a philosophical and mystical discipline that blurred the boundaries between language and being, reason and revelation.

This study examines the transformative role of Ibn Arabi’s thought in reshaping the science of letters, demonstrating how he reinterpreted it from an occult art into a profound epistemological system of divine knowledge. Through an analysis of his writings, it becomes clear that for Ibn Arabi, the science of letters is not a marginal field but a key to understanding the entire structure of creation—the relationship between the Divine Names and Attributes, and the modes through which reality unfolds within speech, sound, and meaning.

Ultimately, by redefining the metaphysical status of letters, Ibn Arabi laid the groundwork for a new approach to interpreting the Qur’an, understanding creation, and perceiving the relationship between humanity and God. His comprehensive vision transformed the science of letters into a cornerstone of Islamic mysticism and speculative philosophy—an intellectual bridge between language and existence, in which every letter becomes a ray of the Divine Reality.