The Foundations and Rules of the Mystical Interpretation of the Holy Qur'an from the Perspective of Sadr al-Muta’allehin

Like the other Muslim mystics, Sadr al-Muta'-allehin has extensively dealt with the mystical or esoteric interpretation of the holy Qur'an. In order to examine some of the dimensions of this scientific and interpretive endeavor of Mulla Sadra, the present paper discusses the principles and criteria for Mulla Sadra's views on the mystical interpretation of the holy Qur’an. Research on the works of Mulla Sadra shows that in his view, the bases for esoteric interpretation are as follow: multi-level macrocosmos, existentially multi-level holy Qur'an, multi-level microcosmos (human) and the consistency of these three levels, the multi-level meanings of the holy Quran, the reference of all the outward and inward meanings of the holy Quran to God, the unexclusiveness of awareness of the esoteric interpretation of the holy Quran to God and the infallibles (as) and setting words for the spirit of meanings. Also, some of the most important criteria for the mystical interpretation of the holy Qur'an from Mulla Sadra's point of view are: non-opposition of the inner meanings to the outward words of the holy Qur'an, non- opposition of the inner meanings with the religious rules, and non- opposition of inner meanings with the teachings of absolute Truth.