Concept

The Paradox of Self-Identity and Mystical Bewilderment in Attar's Mokhtar Nameh (Chapter 4, Poem 96)

In Chapter 4, Poem 96 of Attar's Mokhtar Nameh, the poet explores the profound mystical state of bewilderment (hayrah) and the dissolution of self-identity in the presence of the Divine. The speaker wrestles with the paradox of individual existence, asking, 'If I am myself, why do I not know myself?' and conversely, 'if I am not myself, what is all this crying out for?'. This internal conflict highlights the psychological and spiritual tension of a seeker caught between ego-consciousness and divine annihilation (fana). The poem masterfully captures a core Sufi theme where the boundaries between the lover ('I') and the Beloved ('You') become indistinguishable, leaving the seeker in a state of ecstatic and helpless confusion regarding their own existence.

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Updated 2026-07-03

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Humanities

Literature

Persian Literature Prerequisite Course