Rūmī’s Path of Realization
Abstract
One of the key terms employed in defining the nature of the Islamicintellectual tradition is taḥqīq, “realization” or “ verifi cation”. Literally, theword means to search out the ḥaqq of things, which is their truth, rightness,appropriat eness, and at the same time, the word implies the correct andproper human response to this ḥaqq. The nature of taḥqīq is suggested by theprophetic prayer that Rumi often recites, “Our Lord, show us things as theyare.”taḥqīq is often discussed as a methodology by the Muslim philosophers andtheologians, and among Sufis, Ibn Arabi and his followers considered it thebasic goal of human becoming. It is always associated with properdiscernment and correct use of intelligence. As for Rumi, he is oftenrepresented as denigrating intellect and elevating love, but it needs to beremembered that the intellect he denigrates is the one-eyed rational mind, notthe eye that sees with taḥqīq. In fact, taḥqīq is a necessary attribute of thetrue lover