Characteristics and Epistemological Factors of Mystical Knowledge from the Perspective of Imam Khomeini (RA)
Ali Akbar Eftekhari Far, Ali Yar Hosseini, Maryam Bakhtiar
Sharia Philosophy and Ethics 2026 DOI: 10.61838/jspe.147 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that, in Imam Khomeini's thought, mystical knowledge is presential, intuitive, heart-based, and existential rather than conceptual or acquired, attained through self-purification, adherence to Sharia, presence of heart, remembrance, worship, and inner struggle. Reason serves a preparatory and guiding role, while ultimate truth requires spiritual witnessing and inner purification. Authentic mystical knowledge does not contradict Sharia but gains meaning within revelation, servitude, and religious ethics. |
Abstract
The present study aims to explain the characteristics and epistemological factors of mystical knowledge from the perspective of Imam Khomeini (RA). This research adopts a descriptive-analytical approach based on the examination of Imam Khomeini’s mystical, ethical, and devotional works. The findings indicate that mystical knowledge in Imam Khomeini’s thought is presential, intuitive, heart-based, and existential. It goes beyond conceptual and acquired knowledge and is realized through self-purification, adherence to Sharia, presence of heart, remembrance, worship, and inner struggle. From Imam Khomeini’s perspective, reason has a preparatory and guiding role in mystical knowledge, but access to ultimate truth becomes possible only through spiritual witnessing and inner purification. Authentic mystical knowledge does not contradict Sharia; rather, it gains meaning within the framework of revelation, servitude, and religious ethics. The most important factors in attaining this knowledge include divine nature, reason, the heart, revelation, Sharia, self-purification, remembrance, and righteous action. Conversely, self-love, heedlessness, ignorance, prejudice, sensual desires, attachment to the world, blind imitation, and weakness of will are among the main obstacles to mystical knowledge. The study concludes that Imam Khomeini’s mystical epistemology offers a comprehensive model of knowledge in which cognition, ethics, Sharia, and human perfection are deeply interconnected.