Reflection on the Meaning of a Few Words and Interpretations in Tazkerat al-Awliya

Making a new correction of any book, provided that the methods and scientific criteria are observed, can pave the way for further research. Shafiee Kadkani’s correction of Attar’s Tazkerat al-Awliya has made it possible for researchers to reach new horizons of this book. The acquaintance of the corrector with scientific methods and criteria of correction techniques, his ability in interpreting the language of mysticism grandees, correction in a long period of time, and valuable commentary writing are features that have made this correction the most authoritative work done regarding Tazkerat al-Awliya. The present research seeks to provide further explanation for several words and interpretations explained in Shafiee Kadkani's commentary, using library resources and a descriptive-analytical method. The necessity of research is the need to address the words and interpretations used in Attar Neyshabouri’s works to facilitate the understanding of the text for readers. In this study, words such as ‘Sekil’ and ‘Pashesh’, and expressions such as ‘Safra Kardan’, ‘Be Sokhan Rast Nahadan’, ‘Rah- e Kasi Anjam Gereftan’, ‘Bar Yek Khesht Gashtan’, and ‘Sar Az Souy- e Kasi Oftadan’ are examined. The results suggest that the fluid meanings of Persian language vocabulary, less frequency of some words and expressions, deviation from the written form of words in the basic manuscript, and the corrector’s interest in using a particular form of a word or expression are among the most important factors that have caused difficulties in understanding the concept of words and phrases in Tazkerat al-Awliya, leding to inadequate explanations of some phrases.