Journal of the stylistic of Persian poem and prose
volume Number 19، number In Volume 8، November 2026 ، issue Number 126

From Narration to Participation: A Comparative Analysis of the Way of Representing Mystical Experience in the Sonnets of Hafez and Rumi

Neda Yanes , Fatemeh Modarresi (Author in Charge)

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Mystical experience is one of the most fundamental themes of Persian sonnets, and in the poetry of Hafez and Rumi, in addition to the spiritual content, it is also reflected in the structure of the narrative, the manner of expression, and the type of communication with the audience. Both poets take mystical experience beyond the level of reporting an internal event; however, they have significant differences in how they represent and convey it to the audience. The aim of this research is to conduct a comparative analysis of the ways of representing mystical experience in the sonnets of Hafez and Rumi and to examine how the transition from the narration of the experience to the participation of the audience in the process of its perception and interpretation occurs.

METHODOLOGY: This research was conducted using a descriptive-analytical method and a comparative approach.

FINDINGS: Research Findings: Rumi represents mystical experience more as a dynamic, emotional, and participatory process.Direct address, rapid language movement, repetition, musical passion, and emotional ruptures bring the audience into the space of experience. In contrast, Hafez, by utilizing brevity, ambiguity, polysemy, symbolism, and the combination of romantic, mystical, and social aspects, invites the audience to gradually discover and interpret meaning.

Research Results:

CONCLUSION: In Rumi’s ghazal, the audience’s participation is more present and emotional, and in Hafez’s ghazal, it is interpretive and reflective. Therefore, both poets transform the mystical experience into a literary and participatory experience, but Rumi achieves this goal through passion and presence, and Hafez through ambiguity and discovery.

Keyword
Hafez , Rumi , mystical experience , mystical ghazal , audience participation.