A Review of Nosrat Amin’s Mystical Self-Knowledge in Makhzan al-‘Irfan Interpretation

Mystical understanding of the soul is an important aspect of mystical anthropology, which facilitates ascent of man from status quo to his ultimate degree through spiritual journey. The soul is a both wayfarer and guide in its journey, growing and moving to higher degrees according to its level of knowledge of self and its capabilities. This article examines Banu-Amin's Makhzan Al-‘irfan using a descriptive-analytical method, and explains her mystical understanding of the soul. Amin refers to three types of division to explain levels of the soul: the accidental division according to "ressurection", the substantive division according to "self-knowledge" and "identity with existence." Amin's description of the soul comes in two levels: the existential level, which expresses the potential capacities of the soul, and the natural level, which refers to of soul’s being descent. To what the soul turns, it acquires its attributes; therefore, spiritual journey becomes necessary. In Amin's thought, the seeker’s start to move is based on God's bestowal.