1. Foundational Role and Academic Contributions

• Co-founder of the Ibn al-Arabi Foundation: Established in 2007 with Hamesh Malik, the foundation focuses on producing critical Arabic editions and Urdu translations of Ibn al-Arabi’s works. Their mission includes making these texts accessible to Urdu-speaking audiences and fostering scholarly engagement.

• Translations and Publications: Shahi has translated over 30 of Ibn al-Arabi’s works into Urdu, including seminal texts like Fusus al-Hikam (2024 edition), Rūḥ al-quds fī munāṣaḥat al-nafs, and Kitāb al-Isfar. His translations are noted for their clarity and critical annotations, bridging the gap between complex mystical philosophy and general readers1712.

• Current Project: The foundation is translating Futuhat al-Makkiyya (The Meccan Revelations), Ibn al-Arabi’s magnum opus, into Urdu for the first time, requiring significant funding ($15,000 USD)2.

2. Educational and Professional Background

• Academic Credentials: Shahi holds an M.Phil in Comparative Religions from the International Islamic University Islamabad and a Bachelor’s degree in Islamic Studies.

• Career: He worked as an Arabic-English translator at IIRO (International Islamic Relief Organization) before dedicating himself to the Ibn al-Arabi Foundation. His expertise spans translation, digitization, and website management, skills he employs to digitize manuscripts and manage the foundation’s online resources

3. Spiritual Journey and Guidance

• Shahi has been under the spiritual guidance of Shaykh Ahmad Muhammad Ali (Egypt) since 2015, a disciple of Ibn al-Arabi’s teachings. This connection informs the foundation’s approach to interpreting Ibn al-Arabi’s works, emphasizing authenticity and alignment with Akbari Sufi traditions.

• He initially explored Sufi practices through local mentors in Pakistan before fully committing to the Akbari path under Shaykh Ahmad’s mentorship

4. Impact and Recognition

• Global Collaboration: The foundation collaborates with international organizations like the Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi Society (MIAS) and has received praise for its critical editions, which utilize rare manuscripts from Turkish archives7.

• Reader Reviews: Shahi’s translations are lauded for their accessibility and quality. For instance, Fusus al-Hikam’s 2024 edition includes extensive commentary to aid understanding, earning acclaim from scholars and lay readers alike

With good experience in the latest techniques for manuscript and book digitization, I have successfully digitized over 40 manuscripts of Shaykh al-Akbar Ibn al-Arabi. These valuable works are now preserved and easily accessible online through the Ibn al-Arabi Foundation’s website

Experience

Books publishing

With 18 years of publication experience, I’ve been involved in every aspect of the process, from formatting to printing. As the head of the Ibn al-Arabi Foundation, I’ve successfully published 20 books by Ibn al-Arabi in both Arabic and Urdu. Additionally, I’m currently working on several other exciting projects.

Ibn al-Arabi Books translation

With 18 years of translation experience in Arabic, English, and Urdu, I have successfully rendered over 30 works by Shaykh al-Akbar Muhyiddin Ibn al-Arabi into contemporary, accessible Urdu.

Manuscript digitization

Youtube Channel

Here you can find all of our activities on youtube