Explanation of Mystical Concepts of the Islamic Revolution from the Perspective of Seyyed Morteza Avini

Document Type : Research Article / Original Article

Authors

1 PhD student in Islamic Revolution Political Studies at Shahed University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Professor, Department of Political Science, shahed University, Tehran, Iran.

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 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.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

Avini, Morteza. (2004). Governance of the Wise: A Review of Political Authority in Islam. Tehran: Shaheed Avini Cultural and Artistic Institute.
Avini, Morteza. (2011). A Beginning at an End. Tehran: Vahhā.
Avini, Morteza. (2012). Snails Without a Home. Tehran: Vahhā.
Birjandi, Ibn Maysam. (2025). Commentary on Nahj al-Balagha (2nd ed.). Tehran: Book Publishing Office.
Dalir, Bahram. (2017). Mysticism and the Islamic Revolution. Quarterly Book Criticism, 18(81–82), 329–379.
Darvish, Mohammad Reza. (1999). Mysticism and Democracy. Tehran: Qaseedah.
Fazeli, Qader. (2008). Political Mysticism or Mystical Politics. Qom: Fazilat al-Ilm.
Hosseininia, S. (2023). An explanation of the homology of Avini's speech in mystical texts with an approach to classical Persian mystical works. Shahed Andisheh, 4(1), 9–31.
Hujviri, Ali ibn Othman. (1992). Kashf al-Mahjub. Tehran: Tehran Offset Printing.
Iman, Mohammad Taqi, & Noshadi, Mahmoud Reza. (2011). Qualitative content analysis. Research Quarterly, 3(2), 15–44.
Jafari, Mohammad Taqi. (1999). Footnotes on Islamic Mysticism. Tehran: Karamat Publishing Institute.
Jalali Shijani, Jamshed. (2012). Reason and love in the view of Attar of Nishapur and Neshat al-Din Razi. Divine Literature Quarterly, 1(1), 41–61.
Javadi Amoli, Abdollah. (2005). The Foundation of Imam Khomeini’s Discourse and Expression (8th ed.). Qom: Asra.
Kaleemi, Mohammad ibn Yaqoub. (1429 AH). Al-Kafi. Qom: Dar al-Hadith.
Kaleemi, Mohammad ibn Yaqoub. (2009). Tuhfat al-Awliya (M. V. Moradi & A. Masoudi, Trans.). Qom: Dar al-Hadith.
Kermani, Asieh, Mirbaqeri Fard, Seyed Ali Asghar, & Rowjatian, Seyedeh Maryam. (2018). Examining the process of spiritual transformation among Muslim mystics. Mystical Studies Quarterly, 28, 145–164.
Kroun, Patricia. (2010). The History of Political Thought in Islam (M. Jafari, Trans.). Tehran: Sokhan.
Malasdar. (2010). Asrar al-Ayat (M. A. Javdan, Ed.). Tehran: Islamic Wisdom Foundation.
Mihani, Mohammad ibn Manur. (1988). Asrar al-Tawhid fi Maqamat al-Shaikh Abi Saeed (M. R. Shafiei Kadkani, Ed.). Tehran: Agha Publications.
Qaysari, Davud ibn Mahmoud. (2002). Rasael (S. J. Ashtiani, Ed.). Tehran: Iranian Research Institute for Wisdom and Philosophy.
Raghb Asfahani, Hussein ibn Muhammad. (1984). Al-Mufradat fi Alfaz al-Qur'an (G. K. Hosseini, Trans. & Ed., 2nd ed.). Tehran: Al-Maktabah al-Murtazawiyyah lil-Ihyaa’ Aasaar al-Ja'fariyyah.
Sajjadi, Seyed Jafar. (2014). Glossary of Mystical Terms and Expressions. Tehran: Tahori.
Sharif al-Radi, Muhammad ibn Husayn. (2009). Nahj al-Balagha (H. Ansarian, Trans.). Qom: Dar al-‘Urfan.
Soroush, Abdul Karim. (2014). Tafreej-e-Sana: A Comparative Discussion on Creditable Perceptions (9th ed.). Tehran: Sorat Cultural Institute.
Tarbizi, Mansoureh. (2014). Qualitative content analysis from deductive and inductive perspectives. Journal of Social Sciences, 64, 105–138.
Yaminpour, Vahid. (2019). The Story of Avini’s Thought. Qom: Moʿarif Publishing Office.
Social Theories of Muslim Thinkers
Volume 15, Issue 3
September 2025
Pages 38-55

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 14 February 2025
  • Revise Date: 04 June 2025
  • Accept Date: 05 June 2025
  • Publish Date: 23 September 2025

Share

How to cite

Statistics