Sufi Aesthetics in Contemporary Iranian Music and Poetic Practice

Abstract

Sufi aesthetics, broadly understood, denotes the system of spiritual values, symbols, modes of expression and performative practices rooted in Islamic mysticism, which mediates the relation of the self with the Divine through art, poetry and sound. Historically in Iran, Sufi aesthetics have permeated Persian culture for over a millennium, shaping classical poetry (such as that of Rumi, Hafeẓ, Aṭṭar) and influencing the structures of traditional music, especially within khanqah (Sufi lodge) settings. In contemporary Iran, despite political and religious contestations, Sufi themes continue to manifest profoundly in modal music (dastgah), in lyrical compositions and in poetic practice, thereby sustaining a living mystical tradition. This study asks: How and to what extent do Sufi aesthetics influence contemporary Iranian music and poetic production and through which mechanisms are they preserved, transformed or contested? The theoretical framework combines Islamic aesthetic theory, hermeneutics and ethnomusicology, supplemented by a semiotic reading of poetic symbolism. A review of recent literature (2020–2025) reveals several pertinent works: Mirbagheri Fard and Reisi (2023) on the role of Sufism in modern Iranian music; Bano and Rahman (2024) on the influence of Sufism on literature, poetry and music; Oxford-Academic studies on Sufi commentary of lyric poetry (JIS, 2023); analyses of gender representation in modern Persian Sufi writing (2024); and quantitative authorship authentication of classical Persian Sufi poets (e.g., Aṭṭar) by statistical methods (2025). The findings indicate that contemporary Iranian musicians and poets draw deeply on Sufi metaphors, the murid-murshid educational model and sama-inspired performativity; they negotiate Sufi heritage within a dominant Shia socio-religious order and often revitalise mystical discourse through modern forms without necessarily institutional affiliation to Sufi orders.