Examining Molla Hādi Sabzevāri’s Form and Content of Sharh-e Asrār: A Commentary on Maulavi’s Masnavi Ma'navi

Commentary on mystical works holds a significant place in the history of mysticism and Sufism with Masnavi being a captivating subject that has been extensively discussed. Among these discussions, the depiction by Molla Hādi Sabzevāri, a late philosopher of the Islamic world, is particularly important and valuable due to its coverage of legal and philosophical issues. This research aimed to explore the relationship and correlation between the form and structure of this depiction and the intellectual approach that governs it. By understanding its macro pattern based on the key constituent elements, we could better appreciate its significance. To achieve this objective, the present study examined the structural framework that governed the depiction of verses and analyzed the interpretive features observed in Molla Hādi Sabzevāri's methodology, focusing on his descriptive-analytical approach. The findings of this study revealed that Molla Hādi's method of unraveling secrets was primarily characterized as eclectic and comprehensive, taking into account both general and specialized audiences in different contexts. Furthermore, his methodological model was primarily influenced by Quranic interpretations in terms of its form. The textual evidence indicated that Sabzevāri surpassed the audience's expectations by providing theological and philosophical explanations of Maulavi's verses, demonstrating a greater inclination towards clarifying legal and philosophical viewpoints.