The epistemic function of classical metaphors in the semantic structure of Islamic–Iranian mystical texts
Neda Shahani, Esmaeil Bani Ardalan
ادبیات عرفانی June 19, 2026 DOI: 10.22051/jml.2025.52640.2740 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative descriptive-analytical study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Iranian–Islamic mystical texts by al-Fārābī, Ibn ʿArabī, Suhrawardī, ʿAttār, and Rūmī |
| Topics | Mystical experience |
| Keywords | Classical metaphor Mystical knowledge Spiritual senses |
| Key findings | Classical metaphors in mystical texts are not merely aesthetic but are epistemic mechanisms that render ineffable spiritual experiences intelligible and constitute part of the experiential process itself. |
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.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on mystical experience, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The nature of peak experience in wilderness. Participants who had visited wilderness areas in Victoria, Australia, recruited via a... | 2009 | Qualitative study | n = 39 |
| 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 |
| Cannabis as entheogen: survey and interview data on the spiritual use of cannabis. Participants recruited from seven online communities, median age 33, 81% male | 2020 | Mixed methods (qualitative interviews and quantitative survey) | n = 319 |
| Clarifying and measuring the characteristics of experiences that involve a loss of self or a dissolution of its boundaries. Adults who reported an experience involving dissolution of self-boundaries or loss of... | 2024 | Cross-sectional survey with confirmatory factor analysis and qualitative thematic analysis | n = 386 |
| The developmental impact of not integrating childhood peak experiences Adults recalling their childhood peak experiences | 2007 | Qualitative study | n = 12 |