Beyond Knowledge: The Concept of Ma’rifa in Sufi Literature
Mohammed A. Kareem, S. S. Barzani, Sirwan A. Ali
Zanco Journal of Humanity Sciences August 15, 2026 DOI: 10.21271/zjhs.30.spc.1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that ma’rifa is an experiential understanding beyond knowledge, cultivated through love, spiritual cleansing, and sacrifice, as exemplified in Sufi poetry. Proposes that this creates a profound mystic–Divine bond and positions ma’rifa as central to Sufi practice. |
Abstract
Understanding the concept of ma’rifa within the framework of Sufi mysticism requires a thorough reading of the spiritual journey in the quest for divine knowledge and unity with the Divine. In the traditional Islamic context, 'ilm (knowledge) implies religious knowledge, whereas in the Quran, the term “ilm” refers to God's own understanding, which includes both the visible and hidden aspects of reality. In its broadest sense, 'ilm can refer to understanding of any specific thing or notion, as well as any type of learning. Subsequently, the phrase came to refer to numerous sorts of sciences. In this paper, an argument for ma’rifa is made, with a focus on the experiential phenomenon of understanding that goes beyond knowledge. This is modelled through a qualitative analysis of famous Sufi texts to give a predominantly literary-angled style. The analysis is exemplified with reference to poetic expressions of Rumi, Attar, Al-Ghazali, and Dhu'l-Nûn Al-Misri, where the notion of ma’rifa is developed through love, spiritual cleansing and sacrifice. The paper concludes that a deeply profound bond is found between the mystic and God, demonstrated by using lyrical language and metaphors. Eventually, the paper positions ma’rifa as a key aspect of Sufi philosophy and practice.