Spring Seminar
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Join us for our Spring Quarter Seminar, Transformative Emptiness: A Journey Through Islamic Thought and Practice facilitated by Resident Scholar, Nariman Aavani.
Transformative Emptiness: A Journey Through Islamic Thought and Practice
Tuesdays, April 15 - May 27, 2025 | 3:30PM - 5:00PM
Drawing on theological, philosophical, and literary perspectives, we will explore the diverse ways in which “emptiness,” understood as the process of clearing one’s self—body, mind, and soul—and one’s environment to facilitate a closer connection to the Divine, has been conceived and embodied within the Islamic tradition.
From ethical refinement through the concept of tazkiyah (purification) in the Qur’an to the mystical dissolution of the self (fanā’), Muslims have long grappled with how to clear spiritual, social, and intellectual space for divine presence.
Our journey begins by examining tazkiyah as “ethical emptiness,” enriched by legal, theological, and philosophical reflections. We then delve into fanā’ through readings from Rumi’s Mathnawī, illuminating the idea of emptiness within the soul. Subsequent sessions address khalwah (seclusion) as social emptiness, hunger (jūʿ) as embodied emptiness, and silence (ṣamt) as aural emptiness. Finally, we will consider emptiness in Islamic literature and the concept of the void (khala’) in Islamic art, revealing how these notions shape both creative expression and spiritual praxis. Throughout the course, we will pay special attention to the diversity of perspectives within Islam, recognizing the multitude of voices and interpretations that inform these rich and enduring concepts.
Weekly Themes
Week 1: Purification (tazkiyah) as Ethical Emptiness (April 15)
Examining the Qur’anic concept of tazkiyah, in light of a wide range of theological, philosophical discussions from both Sunni and Shi’a perspectives.
Week 2: Self-Dissolution (fanā’) as Emptiness of the Soul (April 22)
Reading selections from Rumi’s Mathnawī to explore the mystical notion of self-dissolution.
Week 3: Solitude (khalwah) as Social Emptiness (April 29)
Investigating solitude and retreat in Islam.
Week 4: Hunger (jūʿ) as Embodied Emptiness (May 6)
Understanding embodiment and its role in cultivating emptiness.
Week 5: Silence (ṣamt) as Aural Emptiness (May 13)
Exploring the relation between silence, time, and emptiness.
Week 6: Emptiness in Islamic Literature (May 20)
Analyzing literary works that engage with emptiness as a central theme.
Week 7: Emptiness in Islamic Art (May 27)
Exploring the concept of the void (khala’) and its manifestation in visual culture.