A Comparative Study of the Foundations and Conditions of Spiritual Wayfaring and the Traversal of Stations and States in the Thought of Imam Khomeini and Qushayri

Abstract

Spiritual wayfaring in the Islamic mystical tradition is understood as a gradual process of self-purification, liberation from worldly attachment, and movement toward divine knowledge and proximity. The present study aims to comparatively examine the foundations, conditions, and spiritual stations in the thought of Imam Khomeini and Abd al-Karim Qushayri. The research adopts a descriptive-analytical and comparative method based on the study of mystical and philosophical texts. The findings indicate that both thinkers emphasize Sharia, repentance, sincerity, spiritual struggle, vigilance, and purification of the soul as essential principles of the spiritual path; however, significant differences emerge in their interpretation of the foundations and ultimate goal of spiritual wayfaring. Qushayri primarily explains the path within the framework of Sharia-oriented Sufism, Sufi discipline, and ethical training, and his main concern is preserving the authenticity of Sufism while preventing mystical deviation. In contrast, Imam Khomeini, drawing upon theoretical mysticism, transcendent philosophy, and Shiite teachings, interprets spiritual wayfaring as an existential movement from multiplicity to unity and from ego-centeredness to annihilation and the realization of divine unity. In Imam Khomeini’s thought, concepts such as guardianship, the perfect human being, inner presence, and the inner reality of worship occupy a central role, and spiritual wayfaring extends beyond ethical reform toward existential transformation. The study further demonstrates that although concepts such as repentance, poverty, satisfaction, love, and annihilation exist in both mystical systems, these concepts acquire deeper ontological and unitive meanings in Imam Khomeini’s interpretation. Overall, Qushayri represents an ethical and Sharia-centered form of mysticism, while Imam Khomeini represents a unitive, guardianship-centered, and ontological form of Islamic mysticism.