In Islam, ‘Irfān (Arabic/Persian/Urdu: عرفان; Turkish: İrfan), also spelt Irfaan and Erfan, literally ‘knowing, awareness’, is gnosis;[1] however, it also refers to Islamic mysticism. Those with the name are sometimes referred to as having an insight into the unseen. Irfan is also a Muslim given name, usually for males.
The concept of Irfan overlaps considerably with Sufism in both meaning and content. 'Irfan e Nafs' is often made use of to define the gnosis of the self in numerous Sufi orders. This doctrine follows the Quranic verse, "He who recognized his self, recognized Allah."[2][3]
Among the most famous modern Shia proponents of Irfan were Usooli theologians Allāmah Tabatabai, Ruhollah Khomeini, Mohammad-Taqi Bāhjat, and Allāmah Qādhi Tabatabai. The scholars taught how gnosis can be attained by adhering to Islamic teachings with love for God. The 17th-century Mulla Sadra of Iran is generally seen as the historical ideologue for Irfan in Shi'ism.
References[edit]
- ^ Mutahhari, Murtaza; Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn; Khomeini, Ruhollah (2000). Light Within Me. Ansariyan Publications.
- ^ "Irfan e Nafs". http://www.tehreekdawatefaqr.com/eng/Irfan-e-nafs.php.
- ^ Najib ur Rehman, Sultan Mohammad. Sultan Bahoo:The Life and Teachings. Lahore Pakistan: Sultan ul Faqr Publications. p. 167. ISBN 9789699795183.
External links[edit]
- "Sufism of Iran" - A Reference website for Sufi books
- "Light Within Me" - A compilation of articles about Irfan by Shia scholars
- Articles related to Irfan on Al-Islam.org
- The Irfan Colloquium for Study of the Baha'i Faith.
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