Mystical Poetry as an Ontological Language of History: An Explanation of the Emergence of Presential–Historical Thought in Mysticism, Philosophy, and Poetry

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Assistant Professor, Sura International University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Understanding historical transformations and the meaning of the epochs of being constitutes a foundational concern in the philosophy of history and civilizational ontology. The question of the “spirit of the age” is, in fact, a question about the historical possibilities through which human beings turn toward Being and construct a civilizational world. Heidegger, through the concept of Dasein and his analysis of the history of Being, opened a horizon for reflection on this relation. Conversely, Islamic mysticism—grounded in the doctrine of the Divine Names—offers an ontological reading of history, viewing each era as the manifestation of a specific Divine Name. Through a comparative analysis of these two intellectual traditions, this article argues that Islamic mysticism, especially as articulated in Persian mystical poetry, presents a distinctive configuration of history and Being within the horizon of Islamic civilization. Mystical poetry is not merely a poetic or individual expression; rather, it is a language of presence within the abiding time and a living relation with tradition. Re-reading mystical poetry from this perspective becomes not only a path to understanding tradition but also a means for recovering the civilizational horizon of Islam in the face of the crises of the spirit of the age. This article examines mystical poetry and tradition as living forms of civilizational thought in their relation to the history of Being.

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References

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Volume 4, Issue 16 - Serial Number 16
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Pages 11-32

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History

  • Receive Date: 03 March 2025
  • Revise Date: 07 September 2025
  • Accept Date: 12 October 2025
  • Publish Date: 22 December 2025

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