Concept

The Allegory of Bohlul and the Striped Cloak in Hadiqat al-Haqiqah

In Section 20 of Sanai's Hadiqat al-Haqiqah, the narrative uses the figure of Bohlul, the archetypal 'wise fool', to critique the pursuit of worldly status and material comfort. When offered a prestigious striped cloak (jubba-ye bord), Bohlul engages in a philosophical reflection on the nature of the material world, referring to it as the 'house of pride' where comfort is inextricably linked to pain. He rejects the superficial honor of the garment, asserting that a true spiritual seeker's 'cloak' is their asceticism (zuhd) and adherence to the Prophet's tradition (sunnah). By pointing out the orthographic and linguistic connection between jubba (cloak) and jannah (paradise) or junnah (shield), the allegory teaches that ultimate spiritual protection and reward are found in renunciation and detachment, rather than in fleeting material possessions.

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Updated 2026-07-03

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Literature

Persian Literature Prerequisite Course