Sufi Anthropology and the Epistemology of Self-Knowledge in Ibn Ṭufail’s Hayy bin Yaqẓān

Abstract

This study examines Ibn Ṭufail’s Hayy bin Yaqẓān through the lens of Sufi anthropology as conceptualized by Abdul Kadir Riyadi. The research is conducted to explore how the essence of humanity and the process of acquiring knowledge are articulated philosophically and spiritually within a classical philosophical romance. Employing a qualitative library-based method, this study applies textual and philosophical analysis to the narrative of Hayy bin Yaqẓān while engaging critically with the theoretical framework of Sufi anthropology. The central question addressed concerns how Hayy’s intellectual and spiritual journey reflects a synthesis of rational, empirical, and intuitive modes of knowing as a pathway toward ma‘rifah. The findings reveal that Hayy bin Yaqẓān portrays not merely the gradual development of human intellect, but also a comprehensive model of the Sufi human, whose knowledge emerges from the integration of sensory perception, reason, and inner intuition. Consequently, the narrative represents a holistic expression of Sufi anthropology, positioning humans as conscious subjects who attain self-knowledge and divine awareness through existential and spiritual experience. This study highlights the continuing relevance of Ibn Ṭufail’s thought in addressing modern spiritual crises and contributing to contemporary discussions on Islamic epistemology beyond the dichotomy of reason and spirituality.