Conceptions of Ḥāfiẓ and the Notion of Tawakkul: A Comparative Study of the Idea of Īqān in Persian Ghazal and Islamic Sciences

تصورات حافظ و مفہومِ توکل: فارسی غزل اور اسلامی علوم میں تصورِ ایقان کا تقابلی جائزہ

Abstract

This research delves into the interconnected concepts of tawakkul (trust in God) and īqān (certainty of faith) by juxtaposing the mystical poetics of Ḥāfiẓ’s Persian ghazals with the structured framework of Islamic sciences. Through a comparative analysis, the study examines how Ḥāfiẓ’s poetry employs metaphorical and aesthetic expressions to articulate these spiritual themes, while Islamic theological and philosophical discourses systematize them within epistemological and doctrinal hierarchies. The investigation reveals that Ḥāfiẓ’s ghazals present tawakkul and īqān as experiential and emotive states, resonating with the Qur’ānic and ḥadīth emphasis on trust and certainty as core tenets of faith. Conversely, Islamic sciences categorize īqān into stages—‘ilm al-yaqīn, ‘ayn al-yaqīn, and ḥaqq al-yaqīn—reflecting a progression from knowledge to experiential realization and spiritual union. This comparative lens highlights both convergences and tensions between the poetic imagination and scholarly rigor, demonstrating that īqān serves as a bridge between the aesthetic and the theological. By integrating these perspectives, the study enriches the understanding of faith, trust, and certainty, underscoring their significance in both literary and religious contexts. Ultimately, it affirms that Ḥāfiẓ’s poetry and Islamic sciences, though distinct in approach, converge in their pursuit of divine truth, offering profound insights into the interplay of art, spirituality, and intellectual inquiry.