Knowledge of Sufism and the Symbolic Interpretation of Paradise Garden Design Concept

Abstract

As human beings we stand on the edge of two truths: the existing material world and the Spiritual being world. The knowing heart is the holy place, where these two dimensions meets and combined. In Sufi lessons the mortal heart of human is not an imaginary symbol but an objective organ of perception and intuition that reflect transcendent qualities in the world, for the assistance and help of other people. The Sufis, mystics of Islam, have been mentors of the heart for almost fourteen centuries. Their education and techniques purpose is to stimulate us and help us to wake up and clean the self for Divine love. Sufism is the spiritual dimension of Islam. According to Sufism, there are two aspects of Islam: the outer part, which consists of the Shari‘ah (the rules of Islamic law), and the inner part, so-called tariqah (the spiritual way). Together, these aspects lead one to haqiqah (the Truth). Sufism is another term for tariqah. This paper is an attempt to understand Sufism knowledge (true knowledge) and how this knowledge is related in world and with ChaharBagh (Garden of Paradise) concept, “symbolic interpretation of paradise garden” which is used by the Muslims in architecture. Sufism explains us that it is possible to understand the world beyond our thoughts. Those who dedicate themselves in Sufim exercise and practices eventually discover the state they can see things as real and true as they are or when you worship God as though you can see him.