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A mystical reading of “the Ascension of the Prophet Mohammad ﷺ” painting, based on Yaqzah (Awakening) from Abdullah Ansari's point of view
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Fatemeh Gholami Houjeghan   , Hassan Bolkhari Ghehi , Mina Sadri |
| visual arts faculty & Department of Advanced Studies in Art |
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Abstract: (174 Views) |
The event of the Mi'raj (Ascension) stands as one of the most profound and transcendent occurrences in religious history, inspiring numerous artistic representations. Among these is the illustrated manuscript of Nizami's “Khamsa” (Or.6810), preserved at the British Museum, which holds a significant place in the history of art due to the involvement of Behzad in select illustrations. This study examines the relationship between the narrative depiction of the "Ascension of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)" and the text of “Manazil al-Sairin” by Abdullah Ansari. The main objective is to uncover hidden connections involving the concept of “yaqzah” (wakefulness) from the perspective of the "Sage of Herat" and its relation to the narrative image, the Prophet’s gestures, and his bodily language. The significance of this research lies in identifying both explicit and implicit links between Persian mystical texts and Persian paintings, contributing to the advancement of related studies. Employing a descriptive-analytical approach and utilizing library-based resources, this investigation focuses on an image attributed to Mirak. The central research question revolves around how “yaqzah”, as the initial stage of the spiritual journey, is manifested in the miniature according to the viewpoint of the Sage of Herat. Findings indicate that Nizami's verses in this section primarily emphasize the Prophet Muhammad’s complete attention to the celestial mercy and his anticipation of divine benevolence for his community. By inscribing «لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ» on the Kaaba’s curtain a phrase signifying the oneness of God the artist seeks to evoke genuine remembrance, awakening individuals from spiritual negligence and initiating the state of “yaqzah”.
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Article number: 6 |
| Keywords: Practical mysticism, Abdullah Ansari, Ascension, Nizami's Khamsa, Persian painting. |
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Full-Text [PDF 694 kb]
(167 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Art islamic
Received: 2025/02/11 | Accepted: 2025/03/15 | Published: 2025/03/21
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