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Unconventional Esoteric Interpretations of Qur'anic Verses in Sufi Prose Texts
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Mohammad Reza Abedi Jigheh   |
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Abstract: (4 Views) |
Unconventional esoteric interpretation and attribution (ta’wīl) refer to any atypical engagement with Qur’anic verses that does not align with the standard hermeneutic norms of traditional exegetes. In Sufi discourse, the emphasis on uncovering hidden meanings and symbolic allusions as the foundation of interpretation has led, on the one hand, to a proliferation of mystical interpretations and, on the other, to the exemption of the interpreter from external critique. As such, Sufi references to the Qur’an and their interpretations of its verses often do not follow a clearly defined methodology and, in some cases, result in highly unorthodox and rare approaches. This study aims to identify, categorize, and critically analyze the uncommon and unconventional interpretive methods found in the foundational prose texts of Sufism. The findings show that these unconventional approaches include:
A) Unorthodox engagements with the Qur’an, such as adopting shaṭḥiyyāt (ecstatic utterances) as a hermeneutical method, which may serve as a basis for claims of annihilation in God (fanā’ fī Allāh), bold irreverence toward the Divine or the prophets, disregard for religious decorum, and claims of special access to the unseen realm. Another example is the psychological or emotional impact of a verse on the soul, which, while not implausible in itself, is often exaggerated. This also includes evoking mystical states through Qur’anic verses, where a character is overtaken by ecstasy, and the "practical realization" of a verse—typically in cases where the Sufi figure is believed to be divinely answered, experiences mystical unveiling (mukāshafah), or attains a sublime spiritual state.
B) Far-fetched interpretations, such as deriving personalized meanings from portions of a verse by shifting its referents, or offering an astonishing variety of interpretations of a single verse, often grounded in ambiguity and hyperbole.
C) Unconventional citations of verses, including quoting verses based on dream experiences, attributing verse citations to a supernatural voice (hātif ghaybī), or invoking verses while claiming contact with metaphysical realms and knowledge of the unseen. |
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| Keywords: Sufism, Unconventional Esoteric Interpretation, Shaṭḥ, Practical Realization, Referent Shift. |
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Full-Text [PDF 455 kb]
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
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Received: 2025/09/13 | Accepted: 2025/09/11 | Published: 2025/09/11
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