The Mythological Functions in Madan a-Dorar; An Analysis Based on Joseph Campbell’s Theory

Many of the themes in Madan a-Dorar, written by Mohammad Soleiman Morshedi, are consistent with mythological concepts, and mythological ideas play a significant role in shaping the contents of this biographical and mystical book. Madan a-Dorar is about the life and mystical experiences of Hajji Nasser Din Omar Morshdi. The present research attempts to study the mystical experience and stages of suluk (spiritual journey) of Naser al-Din Omar Morshedi based on the theory of Joseph Campbell by using analytical-comparative method. The aim of the present study is to investigate the degree of compatibility of the themes of the book with Joseph Campbell's theory and to show the cases in which mystical themes correspond to mythical themes. The results show that the mythological sanctity of the hero in Madan a-Dorar is the same as that of the gods and archetypes. According to Campbell's theory, the journey of the hero can be explained in three stages: departure, initiation and return. Morshedi, as a hero who seeks individuality, begins his spiritual journey with the call of a deer; he experiences the rebirth by crossing the threshold and exiting the womb of the cave. Finally, he passes the rite of initiation and returns and achieves a holy manifestation. At the end of this spiritual journey, the hero reaches a position beyond contradictions, and God is manifested to him in everything. In his mystical experience, Morshedi repeats the mythological patterns. Many of Madan a-Dorar anecdotes are consistent with the components of Campbell's hero's journey and only in some components there are differences.