THE POETIC MANIFESTATION OF ALI’S (A) PHILOSOPHY IN KASHF AL-ASRAR IN MASNAVI-YE MANAVI

Abstract

Hazrat ʿAlī is a prominent figure who left a profound mark on Islamic history, culture, and intellectual thought. This is evident not only from the deep respect and love shown toward him by the Prophet, but also from ʿAlī’s activities following the Prophet’s passing and from the subsequent re-vitalization of his image in monumental works across generations. It is difficult to find any hadith or exegesis book in which ʿAlī’s name is not mentioned or from which no hadith is narrated by him.
The focus of this study is one of the earliest mystical exegeses, Kashf al-Asrār wa Iddat al-Abrār, written by Rashid al-Din Meybodī. Like other exegeses, this work contains numerous hadiths narrated by ʿAlī and discusses various events. However, the portrayal of ʿAlī in this exegesis differs from others: he is presented not only as a historical and religious figure but also from a mystical perspective.
Many poets have composed works about Hazrat ʿAlī, leaving a lasting impact on literature. Across the Islamic era, subsequent periods, and even today, his image continues to appear in poetic examples symbolizing various virtues. In this context, the Masnavī-ye Ma’navī by Jalal al-Din Rumi is no exception. In fact, this article argues that Rumi is the poet who most frequently celebrated ʿAlī and his virtues in verse. Although seven sections of the Masnavī are explicitly dedicated to ʿAlī, his hadiths and wisdoms from Nahj al-Balāgha appear in poetic form throughout the entire work. This demonstrates Rumi’s profound reverence for Hazrat ʿAlī and his ability to convey that reverence to readers with subtlety and beauty.
This study is of great importance for understanding the position of Hazrat ʿAlī in classical East-ern literature.