The apparent and esoteric aspect of religion in Ibnü'lArabî's fusûs al-hikam

The thesis has an aim of finding out the position of Ibnü'l Arabî, who has brought a new perspective to Islamic thought and philosophy in the discussions of the apparent and esoteric aspect of religion. Therefore as a supporter of the unity of existence Ibnü'l Arabî's thoughts about religion and religious components such as prophet and sufi, Koran and revelation, esoteric knowledge, human being and perfect human being has been examined in his philosophical thought. Academic studies has been trying to interpret Ibnü'l Arabî (1165-1240) despite his beeing 13th century thinker and these studies has been classified as critical ones and supporting ones. So while examining the topic, the criticals, answers to them and glosses to his works have been compared. At the first part of the thesis, Ibnü'l Arabî's the unity of existence, concept of God, universe and human relation have been dealt. At the second part esoteric knowledge, perfect human being and reaching the knowledge and religious components such as prophet and sufi, Koran and faith in terms of apparent and esoteric aspects have also been dealt. As a result of the study it has been argued that it is impossible to put limits to Ibnü'l Arabî's thinking world. However he has kept away form apparent approach except obeying the religious law. And he has had an esoteric approach in his thoughts about knowledge. Sometimes he has found a compromise. In conclusion as an entellectual sufi Ibnü'l Arabî has sometimes apparent approach, sometimes esoteric approach and sometimes a middle course and it can be reported that in his thinking world, Ibnü'l Arabî has reached maturity by linking up apparent and esoteric aproaches.