The Reflection of Islamic Spirituality and Aesthetics in Saib Tabrizi’s Poetry during Safavid Isfahan

Mochamad Nabil Sabitul Azmi Al Muhtari Nabil (Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Gunung Djati)
R. Myrna Nur Sakinah (State Islamic University Sunan Gunung Djati Of Bandung, Indonesia)

Islah: Journal of Islamic Literature and History
Vol. 7 No. 1 (2026): Islah: Journal of Islamic Literature and History

The Golden Age of Isfahan under the Safavid dynasty marked a flourishing period of Islamic civilization, producing outstanding achievements in art, literature, architecture, and spirituality. One of the most prominent literary figures of this era was Saib Tabrizi, a renowned poet recognized for his sabk-e Hindi (Indian style) poetry, known for its intricate metaphors and Sufi symbolism. This article aims to explore how Islamic aesthetics and spirituality are reflected in the poetry of Saib Tabrizi using a qualitative approach based on textual analysis. Selected poems are analyzed through the lens of Islamic artistic principles and spiritual metaphors. The findings reveal that Tabrizi’s poetry not only embodies artistic elegance but also serves as a medium for conveying the spiritual values of Islam during the Isfahan era as a cultural and religious center.