Rereading and interpreting the ideas of leading Muslim thinkers
Hossein Ebrahimi; Abbas Keshavarz Shokri
Abstract
Mysticism, as a profound spiritual school and a key movement within Iranian culture, has played a significant role in the political and social developments of Iran. The Islamic Revolution was not merely a political upheaval but a spiritual awakening and an inner transformation in which mystical and philosophical ...
Read More
Mysticism, as a profound spiritual school and a key movement within Iranian culture, has played a significant role in the political and social developments of Iran. The Islamic Revolution was not merely a political upheaval but a spiritual awakening and an inner transformation in which mystical and philosophical dimensions were manifested. Understanding the relationship between mysticism and the Islamic Revolution enables a more comprehensive grasp of the Revolution’s various dimensions and its impact on the Shia community and Iranian society. Seyyed Morteza Avini, as one of the intellectual elites of this period, addressed this phenomenon from a deep mystical perspective. This article examines Avini’s approach to the Revolution through the lens of mysticism and religiosity, showing how this framework enriches our understanding of the Revolution and its message. The theoretical foundation of the study is rooted in mystical thought. Avini considered the Revolution a manifestation of divine love and a quest for truth, wherein people returned to their essence and sought to realize divine values. The study employs an analytical-descriptive method, drawing on three of Avini’s works—A Beginning at an End, Snails Without a Home, and Governance of the Wise. Through textual interpretation, this research identifies connections between mystical ideas and the Revolution. The findings reveal that Avini’s mystical approach not only distinguishes the Islamic Revolution from other global revolutions but also emphasizes inner transformation, monotheism, the interplay between love and reason, and divine encounter. For Avini, the Revolution transcends political change, constituting a spiritual journey and mystical ascent. He outlines stages of mystical ascent in politics—self-awareness, migration, struggle, and guardianship—suggesting that the Revolution is an opportunity for returning to one’s essence and achieving a deeper understanding of life’s meaning and purpose.
