The quote "The universe is a mirror in which God contemplates His own beauty" is often attributed to the influential Sufi mystic Ibn Arabi (1165–1240). While the exact phrasing may vary in translation, this idea is a central theme in his works, particularly in:
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Fusus al-Hikam ("The Bezels of Wisdom")
- This is one of Ibn Arabi's most famous works, where he discusses divine wisdom through the perspectives of various prophets.
- The concept of the universe as a reflection of God's attributes is key to his metaphysics.
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Al-Futuhat al-Makkiyya ("The Meccan Revelations")
- His monumental work elaborates on the idea that creation is a manifestation of God's names and attributes.
Online References:
- You can find discussions of this concept in Ibn Arabi's works on sites like:
- The Ibn Arabi Society (which provides translations and commentaries).
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Ibn Arabi (for philosophical context).
Note on the Quote: While the exact wording may not appear verbatim in his texts, the essence is clearly present in his teachings on "Tajalli (Divine Self-Manifestation)" and the idea that the cosmos reflects God's beauty. If you're looking for a direct citation, checking Chapter 1 of Fusus al-Hikam (on Adam as the mirror of Divine Names) or sections of Futuhat on Divine Love would be helpful.
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