Fundamentals of Esoteric Interpretation Based on Mulla Sadra's Mystical Thoughts

This study investigates the principles of esoteric interpretation based on Mulla Sadra's mystical thoughts. According to the author, in the realm of "mystical thinking", the subject of "esoteric interpretation" is not only an effective element in understanding the Qur'an and narrative texts, but also the key to understanding all real relations in the universe. One of the challenges in the opposition to mystical interpretation is to regard esoteric interpretation as opposed to the outward manifestations of religion, while what is achieved in mystical interpretation is esoteric meanings that have no authority without maintaining the outward manifestations. The use of the method of esoteric interpretation based on Mulla Sadra's extroversive and introversive interpretations is a very good confirmation of the acceptance of the method of mystical interpretation and the dominance of this method over his hermeneutics. In this study, the author seeks to find the foundations of esoteric interpretation in Mulla Sadra's mystical thoughts. According to the author, the basics of esoteric interpretation can be proposed in three areas; 1. ontological foundations; 2. anthropological foundations; 3. epistemological foundations. One of the most important and basic elements in these foundations is the multi lay redness of man, the Qur'an and the universe. Other foundations include the perfectibility of the human soul, esoteric journeys, creation of a sense of esoteric interpretation in the wayfarer, the need to understand what the speaker means to understand his words, and some other principles that will be detailed. The author's method in this research is a combination of narration and rational-mystical analysis. The purpose of this paper is to take a detailed look at the basics of Mulla Sadra's thoughts on esoteric interpretation through a mystical approach.