Dignity, the Intersection of Sufism and Iranian Romance

Keramat (Dignity) is always renowned for the Sufis and is considered as the most prominent ability of the Sufi elderly. Dignity topic is one of the beginning topics of Sufism and a major part of Sufism literature is narrating Dignity of Sufi elders. According to Quran, prophets do acts that are impossible for mankind in facing of opponents to be an approval of their speech and acts. Some of Sufis consider Dignity as a reason to rightfulness of their leadership. But, some others denied it and consider it as a reason of downfall in the way to advancement and perfection. However, Dignity is seen in Iranian romances and is an example of the capabilities of the hero of the romance. The root of it should be sought in the culture derived from myth. In this research, the author is going to analyze these commonalities together, and according to it, explore the Dignity out of Sufian stories and separate Dignities of story heroes from other in two romances that have religious attitude, Abumoslenameh and Hamzehnameh, and come to the conclusion that ‘Far’ (God Chosen), that is the spiritual power said in ancient thoughts, is the source of Dignity thought. The belief in all these stories is central. According to this, romance, especially religious romance, tries to promote the important element of belief; meaning that it will try to follow the purpose that Islamic mysticism got from telling elders stories.