: As a leading figure in the Perennialist School , Lings emphasizes the underlying unity of all orthodox religions while remaining strictly rooted in Islamic orthodoxy.
One evening, while walking through a quiet park, Amir encountered a wise old man who seemed to embody the very principles Lings had written about. The old man introduced himself as Shaykh Ahmed, a Sufi master with decades of spiritual experience.
Week 1: Read short biography of Ibn al-ʿArabī and Lings’ introduction; read the full Book of Certainty once. Week 2: Slow study of first half; journal reflections; daily 10-min contemplation. Week 3: Slow study of second half; compare with Chittick’s explanations of core doctrines. Week 4: Revisit notes; practice integrating one teaching into daily life (e.g., remembrance practice); discuss with a mentor or study group.
