Practical Theology

Practical Theology

Sacred Silence and the Vision of the Heart: A Comparative Study of Byzantine Hesychasm and Retreat in Islamic Mysticism

Document Type : Research Paper

Author
Tahereh Fahiminajm
Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/pt.2026.577158.1094
Abstract
Abstract:

This article offers a comparative study of the concept of “sacred silence” in the Byzantine Hesychast tradition and in Islamic mysticism, and argues that silence in both traditions is not merely the absence of sound or a form of individual withdrawal, but rather a formative and existential mode of experiencing the divine presence and of shaping the vision of the heart. In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, especially in the experience of the monks of Mount Athos, silence—together with the prayer of the heart and inner stillness—provides the ground for the perception of the uncreated light and for the deepening of spiritual life. In Islamic mysticism, likewise, retreat (khalwa) and silence (samt), as two fundamental pillars of the spiritual path, play a decisive role in the purification of the soul, the concentration of the heart, and the emergence of inner vision. Methodologically, the study adopts an analytical and comparative approach based on the examination of classical texts from both traditions. The findings suggest that silence can be understood as the “language of the heart” and as a practical means for reconfiguring the human relationship with the sacred in the contemporary lifeworld. Accordingly, a renewed engagement with traditions centered on silence can offer valuable resources for practical theology, particularly in the fields of spiritual formation and in confronting the fragmentation and noise of modern life.

Keywords :Hesychasm; Islamic mysticism; Practical theology; Sacred silence; Spiritual formation; Vision of the heart
Keywords
Hesychasm
Practical theology
Sacred silence
Spiritual formation
Vision of the heart
Subjects
ابن‌عربی، م. (۱۴۰۹ق.). الفتوحات المکیة. دارصادر.
ابن‌منظور، م. (۱۴۱۴ق.). لسان‌العرب. دارصادر.
ابوطالب مکی، م. (۱۴۲۶ق.). قوت القلوب فی معاملة المحبوب. دارالکتب العلمیة.
سراج طوسی، ا. (۱۳۸۲). اللمع فی التصوف. (مهدی محبتی، مترجم). اساطیر.
سهروردی، ش. (۱۳۷۲). حکمة‌الاشراق. انتشارات حکمت.
عین‌القضات همدانی. (۱۳۸۱). تمهیدات. (عفیف عسیران، محقق). انتشارات علمی و فرهنگی.
غزالی، م. (۱۳۷۵). احیاء علوم‌الدین. انتشارات علمی و فرهنگی.
قشیری، ع. (۱۳۷۳). الرسالة القشیریة. انتشارات علمی و فرهنگی.
قران کریم،(1445 ق.) مجمع الملک الفهد.
کالاباذی، م. (۱۳۷۱). التعرف لمذهب اهل التصوف. (محمدجواد شریعت، مترجم). اساطیر.
ملاصدرا. (۱۳۷۵). الشواهد الربوبیة. مؤسسه مطالعات اسلامی دانشگاه تهران.
ملاصدرا. (۱۳۸۳). الحکمة المتعالیة فی الأسفار الأربعة العقلیة. دار احیاء التراث العربی.
نجم‌الدین رازی. (۱۳۶۲). مرصادالعباد. انتشارات علمی و فرهنگی.
هجویری، ع. (۱۳۸۳). کشف المحجوب. (محمود عابدی، محقق). سروش.
 
Aimilianos, G. (n.d.). Hōs en esóptrō: Gerontas Aimilianos. Ormylia Publications; Holy Monastery of Simonos Petras; Holy Convent of the Annunciation of the Theotokos.
Chryssavgis, J. (2008). In the heart of the desert: The spirituality of the desert fathers and mothers. World Wisdom.
Hierotheos, Metropolitan of Nafpaktos and Agios Vlasios. (2007). Ho agios Grigorios ho Palamas hōs hagioreitēs (3rd ed.). Hiera Monē Genethliou tēs Theotokou (Pelagias).
Lossky, V. (1976). The mystical theology of the Eastern Church. James Clarke.
Louth, A. (2007). Introducing Eastern Orthodox theology. Cambridge University Press.
Meyendorff, J. (1974). A study of Gregory Palamas. St Vladimir’s Seminary Press.
Palamas, G. (1983). The Triads. J. Meyendorff, Ed., St Vladimir’s Seminary Press.
Palmer, G. E. H., Sherrard, P., & Ware, K. (Eds.). (1983-1995). The Philokalia: The complete text (Vols. 1-4). Faber and Faber; St Vladimir’s Seminary Press.
Schmemann, A. (1973). For the life of the world. St Vladimir’s Seminary Press.
Ware, K. (1982). The Orthodox way. St Vladimir’s Seminary Press.
Practical Theology
Volume 2, Issue 2
Autumn and Winter
February 2026
Pages 133-153