Journal of the stylistic of Persian poem and prose
volume Number 19، number In Volume 2، May 2026 ، issue Number 120

Analysis of the prose writing style of Sheikh Ahmad Jam (Jandeh Pil)

Mojtaba Ahmadvand (Author in Charge)

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The works of the great Sufi masters constitute a significant part of Persian literature, and studying them can reveal new dimensions of language, structure, and mystical thought. Among these luminaries, Sheikh Ahmad Jām Nāmaqi, famously known as Zhandepil, holds a special place. This study aims to elucidate the characteristics of his prose works and to demonstrate their value and position in Persian mystical literature by analyzing them on three levels: linguistic, literary, and intellectual.

METHODOLOGY: This research was conducted using a descriptive–analytical approach based on library studies. Numerous examples from Sheikh Ahmad Jām’s prose works were extracted, categorized, and analyzed across the three levels of language, literature, and thought. In each category, prominent features were examined alongside textual evidence.

FINDINGS: The findings indicate that, at the linguistic level, Sheikh Jām’s writings belong to the style of Mursal and simple prose. His clear inclination toward simplicity aligns with his goal of disseminating mystical ideas among the general public. At the literary level, the figures of speech most frequently employed are simile and metonymy, reflecting the author’s effort to facilitate the understanding of Sufi concepts and to establish an effective connection with readers. At the intellectual level, his works reflect a broad range of mystical teachings, including interpretations of Quranic verses, explanations of the path to divine realization, descriptions of the spiritual stages of seekers, and an emphasis on indifference to public judgment.

CONCLUSION: A three-level examination of Sheikh Ahmad Jām’s prose demonstrates a purposeful connection between linguistic simplicity, deliberate use of literary devices, and the coherence of his mystical thought. Simple prose serves as a tool for spreading Sufi teachings to the general public; literary devices play an explanatory and facilitative role; and intellectual content provides a structured framework for mystical practice. Accordingly, his works represent a prominent example of the integration of popular language with profound mystical thought in Persian literature and can be considered a valuable resource for understanding Sufi prose and the intellectual developments of Iranian mysticism.

Keyword
Ahmad Jām - Stylistics - Linguistic Level - Literary Level -