The Koran and Mystical Approach toward the Concept of Catharsis

This paper discusses the Koran and mystical approach toward the concept of catharsis. The word catharsis in fact contains two meanings on growth and transformation as well as purification and cleansing. Of course, it should be noted that they are interrelated and are kind of essential to one another. Usually, two words of breeding and polishing are used for catharsis in the moral and mystical texts. Catharsis in mysticism is removing evil spirit and discharging it from any ill thoughts and malicious characteristics, warding off spiritual impurities, rearing and bearing and qualifying spirit from an aggressive one to the secure one. Some persons take catharsis as disporting worldly affairs. Catharsis is not at all dealt with independently in mystical sources; rather, it is mostly addressed as spiritual journey and asceticism. In ethical works, too, catharsis is dealt with under the term of spiritual refinery.