Explaining the idea of Deliverance in the words of the ancient elders of Khorasan
Sajad Vaezi, Sayed Mohamad Rats Gofer, Mohammad Nasiri, Moheb Ali Absalan
مطالعات ادیان و عرفان تطبیقی July 1, 2023 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.22111/jrm.2021.6819 via DOAJ
Summary
The idea of liberation in Sufism and among the elders of Khorasan is examined, tracing its evolution from early ascetic practices to later romantic mystical union. The concept appears in Qur'anic verses and was a central concern for spiritual masters. In Khorasan mysticism, liberation initially meant freedom through asceticism, worship, and austerity. Over time, it evolved into romantic liberation through love, culminating in the annihilation of the lover in the beloved. Key themes include nothingness, annihilation, survival, self-liberation, death in life, and expressions like 'Sobhani' and 'Ana al-Haq'.
Study at a glance
| Design | historical analysis |
|---|---|
| Key finding | The idea of liberation in Khorasan mysticism evolved from ascetic-based freedom to romantic liberation through love, culminating in the lover's annihilation in the beloved. |
Abstract
The quest for liberation is one of the queries that has been widely reflected in the sayings of Sufism and the elders of Khorasan. In this research, the issue of emancipation, which has been addressed in several verses of the Qur'an and on the other hand has been the concern of the people of knowledge and the wise master in different times and places, is studied in the important mystical school and region of Khorasan. After stating the introductory topics and generalities of the subject, we examine the history of the idea of liberation in Khorasan Sufism and the evolution of the idea of liberation in the words and teachings of the ancient elders of Khorasan and Qoms.The idea of liberation from the world is seen in the first ascetic experiences of Khorasan and the forefront of Khorasan spirituality up to the time of Rumi and has always been an indisputable principle for all of them. But the idea of self-liberation and death in life overlaps with words such as nothingness, annihilation and survival, liberation, self and unconsciousness, death and rebirth, and fascinating songs such as Sobhani and Ana al-Haq. The historical course and spiritual journey of the idea of liberation in Khorasan mysticism begins with liberation and freedom based on asceticism, worship and austerity, and through its evolution and expansion reaches romantic liberation (the way of love) and the destruction of the lover in the beloved.