Journal Of Islamic Denominations

Journal Of Islamic Denominations

An Analytical Exploration of the Exalted Status of Lady Fāṭima (AS) in the Intellectual System of ʿAṭṭār of Nīshāpūr and Its Impact on Interfaith Reconciliation

Document Type : Research Paper

Author
mohammad shirvany
Assistant Professor, Department of Religious Studies, Faculty of Theology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/jid.2025.489691.2533
Abstract
This research aims to provide an analytical re-reading of the position of Lady Fāṭima (AS) within the intellectual and aesthetic system of ʿAṭṭār of Nīshāpūr and to elucidate its function in the discourse of “interfaith reconciliation”. ʿAṭṭār portrays Lady Fatima (AS) not merely as a historical figure, but as the “Lady of Paradise” and a general model of ethics and spiritual practice; a model that emphasizes simplicity, moderation, human dignity, and the primacy of meaning over form, thereby reducing the boundaries of sectarian identities. The central question of the article is how ʿAṭṭār, despite belonging to the Sunni school of thought, creates a sublime and trans-sectarian image of Lady Fatima (AS) in his poetic and wisdom narratives that has the potential to reduce sectarian tensions and strengthen Islamic convergence. The research method is qualitative content analysis with a hermeneutical approach; that is, relevant narratives and verses in ʿAṭṭār's works (including accounts related to the Lady Fatimah's dowry, Ḥadīth al-Kisāʾ [the Hadith of the Cloak], and the Lady Fāṭima's Tasbīḥ [glorification litany]) are extracted, coded, and interpreted in relation to key components of spirituality, frugality, justice, and a balanced lifestyle. The findings demonstrate that the innovation of the article lies in linking a literary-mystical reading of ʿAṭṭār with contemporary interfaith reconciliation literature; in such a way that it is shown how ʿAṭṭār’s formulation of Lady Fatima’s status can provide a theoretical basis for interfaith dialogue and social synergy in the Islamic world. Based on these results, the article concludes that re-examining ʿAṭṭār’s intellectual system has the potential to offer a normative model for religious convergence and tolerance.
Keywords
Lady Fāṭima (AS)
ʿAṭṭār of Nīshāpūr
Interfaith Reconciliation
Islamic Mysticism
Shiʿism and Sunnism
Islamic Unity
Subjects
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