Ravanshenasi & Din

The present study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the concept of the Perfect Human and the path to achieving it within two intellectual frameworks: Islamic mysticism (with an emphasis on Rumi's thought) and humanistic psychology (focusing on Viktor Frankl's perspective). Despite fundamental differences in ontological and epistemological foundations, these two approaches share significant commonalities in presenting a transcendence-oriented image of the human being. Using a descriptive-analytical method, thematic analysis, and a philosophical-conceptual approach, this study compares the viewpoints across three axes: the concept of the Perfect Human, its characteristics, and the process of its realization. The findings indicate that Rumi considers the Perfect Human as a manifestation of the Divine Names, who, through love, spiritual discipline, and annihilation in God (fanā fi'llāh), attains the station of subsistence in God (baqā bi'llāh) and vicegerency (khilāfah). In contrast, Frankl introduces the Perfect Human as a meaning-seeking, responsible, and free individual who, through conscious choice in the midst of suffering and crisis, achieves self-transcendence and existential growth. In both perspectives, concepts such as love, meaning, responsibility, and self-transcendence are regarded as essential pillars of growth and perfection. The main difference lies in the origin of meaning: in Rumi's mysticism, meaning has a divine and intuitive source; whereas in Frankl's psychology, it is experience-based and existential. This comparison demonstrates the possibility of an interdisciplinary dialogue between Islamic mysticism and meaning-oriented psychology for a deeper understanding of the human being, meaning, and transcendence in the contemporary world.