ABSTRACT
T he spirit of religion and mysticism has struck a dominant note in every form of Persian literature through all the stages of its development. Thus the lyricism of a ghazal, the romanticism of a masnavi, or the meditative solemnity of a rubai have been skilfully harnessed to communicate mystic experiences directly, or through allegory and symbolism. Mysticism as a force of social reformation, breaking the barriers of religions intolerance, commanded considerable influence in the masses.
