A Tiny Skylight to Abd al-Razzaq Kashani’s Life and Mystical Worldview through his Treatises and Poetry

Despite his obscurity, Abd al-Razzaq Kashani (b736 AH) is a philosopher and mystic who shines bright in the firmament of Islamic philosophy and Sufism. Being fully acquainted with the foundations of theoretical mysticism and Ibn al-Arabi’s school on the one hand, and delving deep into the ancient mystical heritage and mystical teachings of Abu Talib Maki, Khajeh Abdullah Ansari, Abu Abdul Rahman Salmi, Sana’i, Suhrawardi, and Sheikh Eshraq on the other hand, Abd al-Razzaq Kashani could establish a blessed link between Greater Khorasan and the Maghreb (Islamic West) which originated from Al-Andalus and Egypt. Apart from this prodigious talent of his, Abd al-Razzaq Kashani’s mystical thoughts and poetry are also significant in several aspects: first, his particular mystical worldview which includes the main foundations and basics of ancient mysticism and reflect themes such as “pivotal role of love, human beings, God’s righteousness and bounty, echelons of spiritual journey and conduct, and enlightened views and compassionate demeanors”. Second, the richness of this poetry of thoughts which entails the author’s acquaintance with fields such as philosophy, wisdom, theology, jurisprudence, Tafsir (exegesis), and mysticism, as well as the guidance of his Master, Mulla Abdul Samad Natanzi. Third, not blindly following the ancient mystical heritage but developing innovations and creations which put emphasis on “justice” along with “monotheism and affection” in the path of spiritual journey and conduct, or drafting a twenty-five clause regulation on ethical codes and conduct. Fourth, the didactic-educational effects of Abd al-Razzaq’s works and the fact that his works were not solely a manifestation of mystical-intuitive revelations, and fifth, the art of writing lucidly and expressing philosophical-mystical motifs eloquently. These five unique traits along with the spiritual and intellectual al-Ghazali-like development in his mid-life as well as the tendency to Sufism made Abd al-Razzaq’s ideas and worldview more valuable and worthwhile. This paper throws light on Kashani’s life, education, teachers, works, and jurisprudence, and then discusses parts of his mystical worldview.