The Use of Shathiaat, Ghalandariat and Taamaat in the Odes of Qasim Anwaar Tabrizi

Abstract

Shathiaat, ghalandariat and taamaat refer to those seemingly blasphemous words which one might utter in times
of drunkenness or thoughtlessness that are in fact the reflections of their poet‟s different views on God,
humanity and religion; they also share the poet‟s most unique spiritual experiences with the readers. These are
amongst the most important subjects of discussions in the mystic literature. This paper analyzes Shathiaat,
ghalandariat and Taamaat by looking at the mystic odes of Shah Qasim Anwaar Tabrizi in order to get familiar
with the poet‟s views, attitudes and spiritual school of thought. We have tried to point out the seemingly
blasphemous words or shathiats in poet‟s odes, and attempted to determine whether shathiat, ghalandariat or
taamaat would apply to his odes the best. Our final conclusion is that the poet has expressed his mystic
experiences by means of shathiat (seemingly blasphemous words). Witnessing God and having conversions with
Him, the unity of being, faithlessness and faithfulness, the unity of lovers, living and the sacrifice of life etc...
are amongst the most important shathiats used in poet‟s odes.