Journal of the stylistic of Persian poem and prose
volume Number 19، number In Volume 5، August 2026 ، issue Number 123

"A Scholarly Inquiry into the Mystical Strains of the Ghazals of Gholam-Reza Dabiran

Seyyed Mohammad Baqer (Author in Charge), Zahra Vahab , Nahid Maleki

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: One of the distinguishing features of Persian literature is the richness of its mystical and Sufi themes. These themes constitute an inseparable part of both Persian poetry and prose. Although the prominence of mystical discourse diminished to some extent during the early decades of the twentieth century due to the spread of Western intellectual currents, it regained considerable scope and significance in Persian poetry following the Islamic Revolution of Iran. Consequently, in the works of poets who experienced both periods and composed their poetry with sincere religious conviction, a marked commitment to the use of mystical concepts and themes can be observed.

METHODOLOGY: Using a library-based research method, the present study introduces and examines the literary works of Gholamreza Dabiran and investigates the mystical themes reflected in his ghazals. By presenting textual evidence from his poetry collection Abjad-e Eshgh (The Alphabet of Love), the study seeks to elucidate the poet’s indebtedness to mystical literature and the Sufi tradition embodied in the Iraqi Style (Sabk-e Iraqi) of Persian poetry.

FINDINGS: Taking into account the fundamental concepts of Islamic mysticism as well as the stages of spiritual wayfaring on the path of love and gnosis, this study extracts and analyzes selected verses from Dabiran’s ghazals that clearly demonstrate his mystical worldview and reveal the influence of Sufi literature on his poetic thought. The selected verses indicate a high frequency of mystical ideas and perspectives throughout his poetry. Concepts such as love (‘eshq), detachment (tajrid), the heart (del), the beloved’s tress (zolf), longing (shoq), contentment with the Divine will (reza), bewilderment (heyrat), annihilation of the self (fana), spiritual intoxication (masti), self-sufficiency (esteghna), and the spiritual guide (pir o morad) are particularly prominent.

CONCLUSION: The findings of this study confirm that Gholamreza Dabiran, through his extensive use of diverse mystical terms and themes, has successfully established himself among the distinguished mystical poets of his time.

Keyword
Poetry , mysticism , contemporary literature , Gholamreza Dobiran