Analysis of Epistemic Experiences in Mystical Prose Texts (With a Focus on Nūr al-ʿUlūm, al-Nūr, and Tamhīdāt)
Treasury of Persian Language and Literature January 1, 2024 Zahra Mohammadi, Hanieh Sadri Majd, Zohreh Nooraeinia
Mystical experiences involve a direct awareness of God or transcendent truth, attained through meditation, seclusion, remembrance, asceticism, and divine love. They arise from detachment from worldly dependencies and deep internal focus, leading to a sense of unity with the universe. The key factor is the removal of physical veils from perception. Common features include ineffability, passivity, epistemic quality, and transience. Manifestations appear in behavior, speech, and works. Outcomes include a shifted perspective on life, increased tranquility, and detachment from materialism. The study uses a descriptive-analytical method, focusing on three works by ʿAyn al-Quḍāt to examine the nature of mystical experiences and ways of recognizing epistemic experiences.