Reconceptualizing Epistemology in Islamic Mysticism: A Critical Analysis of Knowledge Through Presence in Mehdi Ha’iri Yazdi's Thought
Ulpah Maspupah, Abdul W. Basit
Interdisciplinary Journal of Social Science and Education December 16, 2025 DOI: 10.53639/ijsse.v3i3.98 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative-descriptive and analytical study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Mysticism |
| Keywords | Existentialism Metaphysics Reflexivity Legitimacy Consciousness Foundationalism Islamic philosophy Intuition Social epistemology |
| Key findings | Yazdi redefines mystical knowledge as direct, non-representational awareness rooted in the existential unity between the knower and the known, integrating rational analysis, metaphysical realism, and spiritual experience. |
Abstract
This study critically examines the epistemology of mysticism in Islamic thought through Mehdi Ha’iri Yazdi’s concept of Knowledge through Presence (al-‘ilm al-huduri). The research positions Yazdi’s epistemological framework as a bridge between classical Islamic illuminationist philosophy (hikmah al-ishraq) and contemporary philosophical discourse. Employing qualitative-descriptive and analytical methods, the study explores Yazdi’s seminal work, *The Principles of Epistemology in Islamic Philosophy*, alongside key secondary sources, to uncover the philosophical coherence and ontological implications of his ideas. The findings reveal that Yazdi redefines mystical knowledge not as mere subjective intuition but as direct, non-representational awareness rooted in the existential unity between the knower and the known. This approach emphasizes the integration of rational analysis, metaphysical realism, and spiritual experience, presenting an alternative to Western dualistic epistemologies. Ultimately, this study concludes that Yazdi’s theory offers a comprehensive, integrative model of Islamic epistemology that reaffirms the legitimacy of mystical consciousness as a valid and crucial source of knowledge in contemporary Islamic philosophy, bridging the gap between traditional and modern philosophical paradigms.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on mysticism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualitative and Quantitative Features of Music Reported to Support Peak Mystical Experiences during Psychedelic Therapy Sessions Individuals with extensive experience administering psilocybin or psilocybin-containing... | 2017 | Survey and qualitative/quantitative analysis | n = 10 |
| Common Core Thesis and Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Mysticism in Chinese Buddhist Monks and Nuns Chinese Pure Land and Chan Buddhist monks and nuns | 2011 | Mixed-methods study | n = 139 |
| Do Drugs Have Religious Import? A 40-Year Retrospective | 2004 | Interview | |
| Narratives of the mystical among users of psychedelics Psychedelic drug users | 2021 | Qualitative study | n = 50 |
| Auras in mysticism and synaesthesia: a comparison. Synaesthetes who experience colors in response to human faces and figures | 2012 | Qualitative study | n = 4 |