University of Isfahan Comparative Theology 2008-9651 17 2 2026 05 22 The Scope of the State of Muraqaba in the Thought of Rumi and ʿIzz al-Din Kashani (With Emphasis on Masnavi Maʿnavi and Miṣbaḥ al-Hidayah) The Scope of the State of Muraqaba in the Thought of Rumi and ʿIzz al-Din Kashani (With Emphasis on Masnavi Maʿnavi and Miṣbaḥ al-Hidayah) 75 102 29760 10.22108/coth.2025.142881.1931 FA Farshad Hasani PhD. Student in Persian Language and Literature, Zanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zanjan, Iran Zanjan Heidar Hasanlou Assistant Professor, Department of Persian Language and Literature, Zanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zanjan, Iran Mehri Talkhabi Assistant Professor, Department of Persian Language and Literature, Zanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zanjan, Iran Hossein Arian Associate Professor, Department of Persian Language and Literature, Zanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zanjan, Iran Journal Article 2024 09 23 Muraqaba is one of the foundational states (aḥwal) of the mystical path, signifying the servant’s certitude of God’s constant watch over the inner self, as well as the vigilant monitoring of one’s own deeds, behaviors, and blameworthy thoughts. This study, using a descriptive-comparative method with an analytical approach, investigates how Rumi and ʿIzz al-Din Kashani conceptualize muraqaba and explores their shared and divergent perspectives. The findings reveal that muraqaba is intimately linked with spiritual discipline (riyaḍa) and seclusion (khalwa). Kashani views muraqaba as the highest stage of khalwa, embedded within a structured spiritual hierarchy, while Rumi does not clearly delineate between these concepts, instead portraying muraqaba as a fluid, experiential state. Both thinkers affirm the necessity of self-purification, divine proximity, and transcending sensory perception toward a sacred reality; however, Kashani emphasizes adherence to Shariʿa and systematic progression, whereas Rumi adopts an intuitive, symbolic, and affective approach. These differences are particularly evident in their treatments of dietary restraint, sleep, speech, and invocation (dhikr). Ultimately, both perceive muraqaba as a means to attain truth, awareness, and divine illumination, though Rumi foregrounds its qualitative and visionary dimensions, while Kashani underscores its pedagogical and jurisprudential aspects. Muraqaba is one of the foundational states (aḥwal) of the mystical path, signifying the servant’s certitude of God’s constant watch over the inner self, as well as the vigilant monitoring of one’s own deeds, behaviors, and blameworthy thoughts. This study, using a descriptive-comparative method with an analytical approach, investigates how Rumi and ʿIzz al-Din Kashani conceptualize muraqaba and explores their shared and divergent perspectives. The findings reveal that muraqaba is intimately linked with spiritual discipline (riyaḍa) and seclusion (khalwa). Kashani views muraqaba as the highest stage of khalwa, embedded within a structured spiritual hierarchy, while Rumi does not clearly delineate between these concepts, instead portraying muraqaba as a fluid, experiential state. Both thinkers affirm the necessity of self-purification, divine proximity, and transcending sensory perception toward a sacred reality; however, Kashani emphasizes adherence to Shariʿa and systematic progression, whereas Rumi adopts an intuitive, symbolic, and affective approach. These differences are particularly evident in their treatments of dietary restraint, sleep, speech, and invocation (dhikr). Ultimately, both perceive muraqaba as a means to attain truth, awareness, and divine illumination, though Rumi foregrounds its qualitative and visionary dimensions, while Kashani underscores its pedagogical and jurisprudential aspects. https://coth.ui.ac.ir/article_29760_e8377cba54f7fad90e0cc50b8e989b1e.pdf