AN INVESTIGATION ON PERFECT HUMAN (AL-INSAN AL-KAMIL) IN THE POEMS OF MAWLANA JALAL AD-DIN RUMI AND HAFIZ-E SHIRAZI

Abstract

In the Islamic worldview, the human has a prominent position such that perfect man (al-Insan al-Kamil) is introduced as successor and vicegerent of Allah on earth. But, this succession to the God and attainment of sublime status depends on characteristics and conditions taken into account in various respects. Islamic mysticism is one of the most important approaches in addressing the human and his/her role in the cosmos emphasized by various philosophers and scholars based on Islamic teachings. Position of perfect human and his dignity and esteem are investigated from perspective of two famous mystics and geniuses, Mawlana Jalal ad-Din Rumt and Hafiz-e Shirazi; that both of them were also influential and prominent in Persian poetry and literature, and have expressed their viewpoints in form of elegant and evocative poems. Thus, this study was conducted to unravelmany of the secrets and mysteries of humanity and providing a context for human spiritual development using religious teachings and intuition of discoveries, and experiences of Muslim mystics. Finally, transcendent values of the human's base and position were investigated in order of creation, as well as some human's characteristics and attributes and the purpose of human creation by examining a few poems of Mawlana and Hafiz using a descriptive analytical method.