Rereading and interpreting the ideas of leading Muslim thinkers
Hamidreza Saremi; Mana Vahidbafandeh
Abstract
As an ideal and conceptual image of the city, the utopia of any society reflects its underlying ideas, values, and aspirations—elements that evolve over time in response to social, cultural, and economic transformations. Although utopian images differ in form and scale, they consistently correspond ...
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As an ideal and conceptual image of the city, the utopia of any society reflects its underlying ideas, values, and aspirations—elements that evolve over time in response to social, cultural, and economic transformations. Although utopian images differ in form and scale, they consistently correspond to an idealized conception of the city. From ancient periods through the Islamic civilization, this concept has been articulated in diverse forms by Iranian thinkers and scholars. In the contemporary context, redefining and applying utopia as a practical model for urban design has become increasingly significant. This study examines the concept of utopia within Iranian–Islamic civilization, with particular emphasis on the intellectual framework of Hakim Abolqasem Ferdowsi Tousi. Its primary objective is to analyze and develop a conceptual framework based on Ferdowsi’s vision of utopia and to explore its implications for Iranian–Islamic urban planning. Using qualitative content analysis, utopian concepts embedded in the narratives of Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh are systematically examined. Subsequently, the interrelations among these concepts within the broader framework of Iranian–Islamic utopia are investigated through a narrative review approach. The findings indicate that the Iranian–Islamic utopia, understood as a concept transcending time and place, emphasizes wisdom and knowledge and offers an enduring ideal model for contemporary cities confronting present-day challenges.
