Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
M. A. Student, Comparative Religions and Mysticism, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Religions and Mysticism, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
10.22108/coth.2026.146637.2034
Abstract
The study of mystical texts has often been directed toward the pursuit of a single, systematic meaning. Interpreters of these works, especially in the past, have sought—through the methods of classical schools—to extract a fixed and coherent truth from the writings. While this approach has its own value, it also presents limitations, as it does not always allow for an appreciation of the multiple layers of meaning embedded within these texts. In contemporary scholarship, inspired by new theories of meaning, particularly the rhizomatic thought of Deleuze and Guattari, another horizon of interpretation has emerged—one that views the text as a dynamic and polyphonic network. Based on an examination of Ruzbihan Baqli’s works, especially Kashf al-Asrar, it can be shown that the structure of his writing resonates with such a model. His dreams, symbols, and multilayered experiences resist univocal readings, thereby reinforcing the possibility of a networked and plural interpretation. Accordingly, the present study argues that the rhizomatic approach offers a productive tool for engaging with the complexities of texts grounded in lived experience, whose meanings unfold within multilayered and dynamic contexts. The findings suggest that this book displays rhizomatic qualities, thus opening the way for a fresh and innovative reading of his works.
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