Matin Research Journal

Matin Research Journal

Meaning of the Metaphor of “Idol” in the Mystical Poems of Hafez and Imam Khomeini

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Adel Meghdadian 1
Meisam Hanifi 2
Moslem Mahmoodi 3
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Religions and Mysticism, Ahlul Bayt International University, Tehran, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Persian Language and Literature, Ahlul Bayt International University, Tehran, Iran
3 MA Islamic mysticism from Ahlul Bayt International University, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/matin.2022.243828.1735
Abstract
One of the mystical metaphors in the poems of mystical poets is the comparison
of the word and meaning of idol with Almighty God. Several aspects can be found
In this metaphor: First, an aesthetic look at the idol; an idol is an adorable beauty
that possesses everything that deserves its perfection. The second is the glorifying
approach to the idol. In this sense, the idol is the coquettish beloved, who is gentle
and careless and indifferent to his own lovers. The Idol is also a stonehearted
beloved, who, of course, apparently ignores the enthusiasts for their own interests.
The description of Almighty God with the word idol is in clear contradiction with
the belief system of Islam. What do mystics such as Hafiz and Imam Khomeini
mean by idol and attributes and manifestations attributed to him regarding God?
The hypothesis of this research is that, regardless of the negative meaning of the
idol, which is rarely reflected in the works of these two figures, in their mystical
view, the idol regarding the Almighty God is the truth and regarding the idol that
the pagans adorn and worship is figurative.

Keywords
Idol
metaphor
mystical poetry
truth and figurative
Hafez
Imam

Subjects

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