The epistemic function of classical metaphors in the semantic structure of Islamic–Iranian mystical texts

Classical metaphors in Iranian–Islamic mystical texts function not merely as aesthetic devices but as epistemic tools that make ineffable spiritual experiences intelligible. By analyzing works of al-Fārābī, Ibn ʿArabī, Suhrawardī, ʿAttār, and Rūmī alongside Aristotle’s views, the study shows that metaphors such as light, fire, and journey both represent mystical experience and constitute part of the experiential process itself. These metaphors render transcendent experiences tangible through sensory references while dissolving rational boundaries, enabling intuitive apprehension of the sacred. Core metaphors persist across texts in dynamic networks, transforming mystical experience from an individual phenomenon into a shared spiritual heritage.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Mystical language, unlike scientific language, which is based on logical reasoning and conceptual clarity, is rich in metaphors whose primary function is to express ineffable spiritual experiences. The central concern of this study is how classical metaphors operate as cognitive tools in Iranian–Islamic mystical texts, rendering transcendent experiences intelligible to the reader. The aim of the research is to elucidate the role of these metaphors in embodying mystical experiences and to demonstrate that metaphor is not merely an aesthetic device but an epistemic mechanism that enables a connection between the lived world and the sacred realm. Accordingly, three questions are addressed: What is the status of classical metaphors in organizing and transmitting mystical knowledge? How is the relationship between earthly and transcendent metaphors constituted? And how can metaphor convey absent and inexpressible experiences in a concrete and comprehensible form?The research adopts a descriptive-analytical method grounded in a qualitative approach. Data were collected through library research and comparative analysis of mystical texts. Thematic analysis was employed to examine metaphorical networks in the works of figures such as al-Fārābī, Ibn ʿArabī, Suhrawardī, ʿAttār, and Rūmī, in dialogue with Aristotle’s views on metaphor. The findings indicate that classical metaphors not only represent mystical experience but also constitute an integral part of the experiential process itself. By referring to sensory phenomena, these metaphors render mystical experience tangible while simultaneously dissolving the boundaries of rational perception, thus enabling intuitive apprehension of the sacred. The study also revealed that certain core metaphors – such as light, fire, and journey – persist throughout mystical texts and interact dynamically within interconnected networks. Ultimately, classical metaphors create a link between the sacred realm and the lived world, transforming mystical experience from an individual phenomenon into a shared spiritual heritage.