Today, we study the Red Wisdom treatise penned by Shahab Ed-Din Sohrawardi. Stay tuned.

Sheikh Shahab Ed-Din Sohrawardi, who earned the title of Sheikh Ul-Eshraq, is the celebrated and acclaimed Iranian philosopher and mystic, who lived in 6th Century AH. Today, we continue to study the works and services of this grand Iranian mystic and philosopher, who has founded one of the most important Islamic philosophical schools of thought, referred to as “Illuminism”. He also vastly contributed to the development and expansion of Islamic philosophy and mysticism.

It was said that Sohrawardi was born in Sohraward Village, in the vicinity of city of Zanjan in the year 549 AH. He was killed at the age of 38 in the year 587 AH, upon the conspiracy of scholars in the city of Aleppo, by the order of the Founder of Ayoubi Dynasty, Salah Ed-Din Ayoubi. He authored and prepared several works in his short life, which have remained to this day. Parts of these works are metaphorical treatises and tales, penned in cryptic style, which according to researchers depict the true image of this well-established 6th Century philosopher. This group of works manifests the spiritual and inner experiences of this renowned mystic.

Last week, the views of researchers such as Dinani and Ismailpour on the Red Wisdom treatise were presented, and it was noted that Sohrawardi was influenced by Ferdowsi’s collection of poems, Shahnameh, and the mythical themes of ancient Iran’s culture. Now, we continue to study the Red Wisdom treatise.

In Red Wisdom treatise, Sohrawardi presents mystical topics on behalf of birds in cryptic writing. The importance of Red Wisdom treatise is embedded in its conclusion. In view of researchers, in this treatise, Sohrawardi has presented a gist and summary of Eastern philosophy and mysticism in a relatively poetic writing style. In this treatise, Sohrawardi has introduced the path to salvation in cryptic language.

The anecdote revolves round two characters, being a hawk and a red-faced, red-haired elderly man. In the past, hawks were the favorite predatory birds of kings. It is said that kings blindfolded hawks and put hats over hawks’ heads to train them. Meanwhile, some believe that all animals are scared of man’s eyes, and the eyes of predatory birds should be blindfolded so that they would not glance at hunters, eye-to-eye. In this tale, hawk is the symbol of mankind; a man who is far from his homeland and has been imprisoned by his material senses.

The hawk mentioned in this story maintains a vague memory of itself, its past, and its life. In its vague memories, it remembers that at first it was very keen to fly, but gradually after its wings were tied up and its eyes were blindfolded, it has lost the memory of its flights. It seems as though it doesn’t remember being a bird, and belonging to a superior world. It doesn’t remember anything from its nest, and travels on its own in a dark desert, until it visits a red-faced and red-haired elderly man, who prudently guides the hawk.

The second character of the story is the red-faced and red-haired elderly man, who is a symbol of human wisdom. He is not as bright as absolute light, and not as bleak as complete darkness. He is red-faced and red-haired. In ancient times, the color of red was considered to be a blend of black and white colors. Human wisdom, based on its innate nature, is bright and white, but his body is dark. So whenever the bright and white wisdom is placed in darkness, it turns red.

The red-faced elderly man is an ancient creature who is well-informed. He alleges to be in an advanced age, stating that he has been trapped in a dark well, for years. He explains to the hawk that due to living in well, his white face has gone red. The elderly man knows all the answers to hawk’s questions. The elderly man calls on the hawk to go on an adventurous journey in order to find the answer to its questions. He is informed and aware of the path that the hawk should cover in order to find out the ultimate answer.

The hawk asks the old man where he comes from. The elderly man responds that he comes from Qaaf Mountain and reminds the hawk that its nest was also over there. The hawk asks the elderly man what he seeks to find, while the old man responds that he is a traveler, who goes round the world and views the global wonders. The hawk asks the elderly man to elaborate on the wonders he has seen, and in response, the elderly man points out that there are seven wonders in the world, namely Qaaf Mountain, glittering gem, Tuba Tree, twelve workshops, David’s Shield, Balarak Blade, and spring of life.

The hawk asks about every one of these wonders, but we do not realize what Tuba Tree, Qaaf Mountain, and the number twelve symbolize, or what Sohrawardi intends to point out by referring to the glittering gem. We only realize from the comments of the red-faced elderly man that Tuba Tree is a deity of trees, and Qaaf Mountain is the ultimate location in the universe, which is made of eleven smaller mountains. It seems that this elderly man intends to present the answer to all enigmas by stating another enigma.

According to the elderly man, the glittering gem is located on the third mountain of Qaaf, lightening up the dark night. The elderly man says that the glittering gem takes its shinny light from Tuba Tree. The elderly man also talks about twelve workshops, and seven experts and trainees, all of which produce David’s shield, which they have put on the hawk, taking away its flying power and tying up its hands and legs.

It is said that David’s shield is rigid. The elderly man reminds the hawk that his intention is to untie all of the loops of this shield and to free the hawk. Only Balark Blade can untie these loops, which according to the elderly man is handed over to the executioner, or in fact the prison warden. But, the problem is if the executioner would want to tear apart the shield, the hawk would also be harmed and injured.

At this point, the hawk urges the elderly man to find a way for tearing apart the shield without injuring the bird. The elderly man also knows the solution to this problem. He says that the only solution is the spring of life. If the hawk immerses itself in the spring of life, it would easily be untied and freed, and could thereafter fly toward the sun and attain salvation.

MR/ME