Document Type : Original Article
Author
Shiraz university
Abstract
The concept of tajalli (theophany) holds a central position in Islamic mysticism, especially in the writings of Ruzbihan Baqli Shirazi. This study explores the semantic and symbolic dimensions of tajalli by examining its compound forms across multiple domains of mystical discourse. Two main types of combinations are identified: conceptual combinations, which link tajalli with specific mystical terms (e.g., tajalli of eternity, essence, or attributes); and metaphorical or simile-based combinations, in which tajalli is associated with elements of nature, human figures, or aesthetic imagery. The research employs a multidisciplinary interpretive framework, drawing on Paul Ricoeur’s hermeneutics, Henry Corbin’s imaginal ontology, and Mircea Eliade’s phenomenology of myth, in order to uncover both the structural coherence and symbolic depth of Ruzbihan’s mystical language. The findings reveal that the recurring metaphorical patterns of tajalli function as hermeneutical keys, mediating between metaphysical doctrines and lived spiritual experience. In this way, Ruzbihan’s discourse on tajalli not only reflects the metaphysical foundations of Islamic mysticism but also demonstrates the dynamic interplay between language, imagination, and mystical experience.
Keywords
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