Reconceptualizing Epistemology in Islamic Mysticism: A Critical Analysis of Knowledge Through Presence in Mehdi Ha’iri Yazdi's Thought

Summary

Mehdi Ha’iri Yazdi’s concept of Knowledge through Presence redefines mystical knowledge in Islamic thought as direct awareness rather than subjective intuition. This study highlights how Yazdi's framework connects classical Islamic philosophy with contemporary discourse, integrating rational analysis and spiritual experience. It concludes that Yazdi’s theory legitimizes mystical consciousness as an important source of knowledge, bridging traditional and modern philosophical perspectives.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This study critically examines the epistemology of mysticism in Islamic thought through Mehdi Ha’iri Yazdi’s concept of Knowledge through Presence (al-‘ilm al-huduri). The research positions Yazdi’s epistemological framework as a bridge between classical Islamic illuminationist philosophy (hikmah al-ishraq) and contemporary philosophical discourse. Employing qualitative-descriptive and analytical methods, the study explores Yazdi’s seminal work, *The Principles of Epistemology in Islamic Philosophy*, alongside key secondary sources, to uncover the philosophical coherence and ontological implications of his ideas. The findings reveal that Yazdi redefines mystical knowledge not as mere subjective intuition but as direct, non-representational awareness rooted in the existential unity between the knower and the known. This approach emphasizes the integration of rational analysis, metaphysical realism, and spiritual experience, presenting an alternative to Western dualistic epistemologies. Ultimately, this study concludes that Yazdi’s theory offers a comprehensive, integrative model of Islamic epistemology that reaffirms the legitimacy of mystical consciousness as a valid and crucial source of knowledge in contemporary Islamic philosophy, bridging the gap between traditional and modern philosophical paradigms.

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