Interpretation of the Concept of Rindlik in the Works of Alisher Navoi

Abstract

The concept of rindlik represents one of the most profound and philosophically rich ideas in classical Eastern and Sufi literature, symbolizing a state of spiritual freedom, moral integrity, and divine love. In the works of Alisher Navoi, particularly Mahbub ul-Qulub and Lison ut-Tayr, the poet reinterprets the image of the rind, transforming it from a figure associated with indulgence and carelessness into one embodying ascetic wisdom, ethical strength, and enlightenment. His depiction of rindlik reflects the fifteenth-century Timurid intellectual milieu and reveals his mastery in blending mysticism with poetic expression. Despite extensive studies on Navoi’s philosophical ideas, the artistic and moral dimensions of rindlik have not been comprehensively analyzed as a unifying ethical and aesthetic concept within his works. This study aims to explore the spiritual, moral, and artistic meaning of rindlik in Navoi’s writings and to interpret its symbolic function within the framework of Sufi philosophy and literary tradition. The analysis reveals that Navoi presents the rind as a seeker of divine truth, one who transcends worldly attachments through repentance, sincerity, and spiritual devotion. Figures such as Sheikh San‘on and Sayyid Hasan Ardasher exemplify this ideal. The research establishes rindlik as a key ethical-philosophical category that integrates mysticism, aesthetics, and humanism in Navoi’s worldview. The findings contribute to understanding Navoi’s role in redefining moral and spiritual ideals in Turkic literature, emphasizing that true freedom lies in the liberation of the soul through divine wisdom and moral perfection.