In aesthetic theories of western philosophical
schools, beauty and its perception
are investigated and explained in terms of
sensory perception, in a subjective approach
and merely from an epistemological
perspective. But in Islamic philosophy
and mysticism we find a distinctive
approach to the problem of beauty and
its perception. This paper is an attempt
to understand of this approach through
the study, reconstruction and explanation
of the concept of the beauty and its perception by Rumi’s key term, “Hayra”.
On his understanding, through inner perception
of manifestation of divine beauty
and creative imagination, human drowns
in waves of love and perplexity ocean
an ontological perplexity which will lead
him to the beach of guidance and salvation.
Perception of beauty in Rumi’s point
of view is not a mere sensual pleasure, but
a way to guidance and development of the
wayfarer’s existence and connection to
the source of being, truth, goodness and
beauty.