La sîmîâ’ en Al-Andalus

Abstract

S?miy?’ is an Arabic word that uses to be translated as ‘white magic’ or ‘natural magic’. In fact, the so-called “science of al-S?miy?’” is a kind of magic well known in the Arab world since the Middle Ages. In this paper, after a short revision of the different etymologies suggested for this word, we discuss the definitions given to the this magical science by classic authors, namely Šhih?b al-D?n al-Qar?f? (s. XIII), Ibn Jald?n (s. XIV) and H?y?? Jal?fa (s. XVII), remarking the differences in their definitions.After that, we analyze the meaning, basic concepts and practice of the s?miy?’ in al-Andalus, as exposed in the book entitled Kanz al-‘ul?m wa-l-durr al-manz?m, written by the sufi author Muhammad b. ‘Al? Ibn T?mart al-Andalus? (s. XIII- XIV), what lead us to relatesufism with the practice of occult sciences in the Islamic world.