Principles and methods of the hermeneutical approach to the concept of torment in mystical prose texts up to the 8th Century AH

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

PhD in Persian language and literature, Shahid Beheshti University

10.29252/kavosh.2026.22899.3681

Abstract

One of the fundamental insights of the mystics is the attention to the general mercy of God and the precedence of His mercy over His wrath. To explain this macro-idea, it has been interpreted in various positions. The idea of torment has been a suitable opportunity for mystics in this regard. In addition to showing its semantic implications in the written tradition of Sufism, analyzing how mystics use the concept and word of torment can be important in two other respects. It shows the course of their interpretation and symbolism, and it is a step forward in understanding their epistemological system. According to this research, mystics have adopted four general approaches to torment. The first is silence of the word. Apart from general reasons, this silence can also be due to "personalizing the sacred". The second is attention to the external implication. This point also has two reasons, including mystics' attention to both the external and the internal and their caution against excessive interpretation. The third is paying attention to the apparent implication and its combination with compassion (prayer to relieve torment at the cost of being tormented oneself). Finally, there is interpretation of the word, which shows the course of interpretation in mystical texts. Mystics’ interpretationism in this regard reached its peak in the seventh century and in the thoughts of Ibn-e Arabi and his successors.  The issue of immortality in torment and the mystics’ views in this field are also important and show the course of interpretation up to Sheikh Akbar.

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Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Kavoshnameh in Persian Language and Literature
Volume 26, Issue 67 - Serial Number 67
January 2026
Pages 143-173

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