Mystical interpretation in Raz Shirazi’s Ayat al-welayat

The interpretation of prophet Mouhammad’s householders’ position is a common trend in Shiite mysticism. A Zahbi Sufi- Mirza Baba- well known as Raz Shirazi (1202-1268) has written an important book entitled Ayat al-welayat in which he has red his mystical ideas to Quranic verses to interpret and show the position of householders. According to him, 1001 Quranic verses refer to Imams and their enemies, for this reason, he interpreted the verses based on mystical trends. Interestingly, even lay people can read and use the above-mentioned book. Raz Shirazi declares he has based his interpretation on householders’ interpretive methods and by following Sufi elders has his mystical knowledge via ascetic exercises. Throughout his mystical-interpretive work, Raz Shirazi has interpreted some important mystical doctrines such as Ideal Man and Leadership in reference to Imams. Additionally, his comments on the work are noticeable.