Etin Anwar, Freeman Fellow in Asian Studies, published an article, "Prophetic Models in Islamic and Christian Spirituality in the Thought of Ibn Arabi and Meister Eckhart," in Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations.
This comparative study of Moses, Jesus and Muhammad in Christianity and Islam reveals common background, basic similarities and differences. Ibn Arabi (d. 1240) and Meister Eckhart (d. 1327) regard Moses and Jesus not only as prophetic models but also mystical examples for the Musawi type of saints and Jesus-like (Isawi) saints in both traditions. However, the experts understandably differ with regard to the divine nature of Jesus. Eckhart considers Christ as the image of God (imago Dei), "the Only-Begotten Son of God," while Ibn Arabi perceives Jesus as both having human nature (nasut) and a divine nature (lahut). Eckhart sees Jesus as the best model, whereas Ibn Arabi perceives Muhammad as the source of chain of prophecy and sainthood, which derives from the Muhammadan reality (haqiqa Muhammadiyya).
