Literary and Philosophical Analysis of Mythical Structure in Sufi Story: Exploring Positive and Negative Significations

This literary and philosophical analysis examines how mythical narrative structures shape Sufi concepts in four short stories about early Sufi figures: Ibrahim ibn Adham, Shaqiq al-Balkhi, Sahl al-Tusturi, and Ibn Manazil. The study argues that these narratives use symbolic imagery, foregrounded language, and mythic patterns to reinterpret religious concepts such as asceticism (zuhd), reliance (tawakkul), divine love, and pilgrimage. The stories function not merely as devotional accounts but as discourse strategies that construct meaning and guide interpretation. The authors propose that narrative and philosophical choices are central to the formation of religious meaning, demonstrating the value of Sufi texts for literary and discourse analysis.

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Abstract

This study investigates the role of mythical narrative structure in constructing Sufi concepts through a literary analysis of selected Sufi stories. Focusing on four short narratives associated with early Sufi figures—Ibrahim ibn Adham, Shaqiq al-Balkhi, Sahl al-Tusturi, and Ibn Manazil—the research examines how language, symbolism, and narrative discourse contribute to the formation and communication of key Sufi principles. Using textual and philosophical analysis, the study explores the relationship between narrative patterns, metaphorical expression, and the conceptualization of themes such as asceticism (zuhd), reliance (tawakkul), divine love, and pilgrimage. The findings reveal that Sufi narratives employ mythic structures, symbolic imagery, and foregrounded language to reinterpret religious concepts and present them within a spiritual and experiential framework. These stories function not only as devotional accounts but also as discourse strategies that shape meaning and guide interpretation. The study highlights the significance of narrative and philosophical choices in the construction of religious meaning and demonstrates the value of Sufi texts for literary and discourse analysis within language and literature studies.