Anwar-e Ma`rifat

Mystical experience is a central element of both theoretical and practical Islamic mysticism. This study analyzes Allameh Hosseini Tehrani's intellectual framework concerning the nature, levels, factors, and obstacles of mystical experience, as well as the distinction between authentic and false mysticism. The main objective is to explain mystical experience in his thought and to interpret the mystical path in light of the Qur'anic and Hadith teachings. The aim is to identify the epistemological and ontological framework of his mysticism and to explain the role of wilayah, the Sharia, and the spiritual master in establishing the authenticity of this experience. The study employs a descriptive-analytical method based on documentary sources and content analysis of his works. The significance of this study lies in reexamining the authentic Islamic mystical tradition in the face of contemporary pseudo-mysticism. The findings indicate that, from Allameh Hosseini Tehrani’s perspective, mystical experience is a gradual process that unfolds through five levels of unveiling—from material to essential—and extends from divine attraction to subsistence in God. This spiritual journey attains authenticity only within the framework of the Sharia, under the guidance of a perfect spiritual master, and through the guardianship of the Prophet's Household (PBUT). The principal criteria for distinguishing authentic from false mysticism are a God-centered orientation, adherence to the Sharia, and commitment to the guardianship of the Prophet's Household. The pitfalls of the path include attachment to miraculous powers, self-conceit, and the disclosure of spiritual secrets. The study's original contribution lies in providing the most systematic reconstruction of the stages of mystical experience in Allameh Hosseini Tehrani's thought and in deriving a framework for evaluating the authenticity of such experiences based on divine and epistemological criteria.