A Comparative Study of the Luminous Human in the Poetry of Nima Youshij, Mehdi Akhavan Sales, and Sohrab Sepehri with Emphasis on Qur’anic Attributes

Abstract

Thinkers and mystics have, from past to present, paid attention to the human, the perfect human, and the luminous human. The luminous human has an Islamic origin and embodies all human values. Prophets, Imams, and the Savior of the End Times are recognized as luminous humans. The luminous human is the spiritual and transcendent individual who carries the saving light for oppressed nations and maintains an unbreakable connection to the eternal and abundant source of divine absolute light. The characteristics of the luminous human in the contemporary era do not differ from those of the past. However, in contemporary poetry, in addition to religious and spiritual figures, due to political and social transformations of the modern era, progressive, patriotic, justice-seeking, and idealistic individuals are also introduced as luminous humans. They serve as sources of inspiration and guides for humanity in attaining virtues, utopia, and freedom. In the poetry of Nima Youshij and Mehdi Akhavan Sales, luminous humans, besides religious and spiritual figures, appear as socially and politically distinct individuals, national myths, activists, and idealists. They confront ignorance, hardship, and oppressive socio-political conditions. Religious figures and ancient Iranian mythological characters in Akhavan Sales’ poems particularly manifest as luminous humans. In Sohrab Sepehri’s poetry, the luminous human is not limited to a specific nation or religion. The luminous human he emphasizes is justice-oriented and supportive of fellow humans.