Attar's Mystical Viewpoint on the Realm and the Nature of Poetry

The literature of text, especially poetry and its nature is a subject that ‘Attār, like some other mystics, pays attention of very much. Although he does not give a logical definition and description of it, ‘Attār explains and reflect on it in his works repeatedly according to his mystical views. Because of his mystical attitude, he looks at poetry and story from the perspective of content and function. He believes the true poetry has to be in harmony with religious law and Divine Throne, and stem from the remembrance of God and the pain of love. Nevertheless, contrary to common belief, we can say that ‘Attar is not heedless of form and language; rather, he tries to find the best form and language for his thoughts and mystical ecstasies. He considers any poetry which is accorded with religious law and arises from the remembrance of God and the pain of love as the extension of the interpretain of revelation, and even counts it in origin the revelation itself. Unlike to this kind of poetry, he considers other kinds as ‘insignificant’ and ‘fruitless demonstration’.