Luci celesti e riflessi terrestri: l'uomo e l'universo nel sufismo indiano

The aim of this article is to describe and analyze some aspects of the role played by astronomy and astrology in Islam in general and in the Indo-Islamic context in particular. After an introductory discussion on the historical dimension and development of these traditional sciences among Muslims in the historical context of Islam, the article analyzes the importance of symbology in the depiction of the macrocosm and microcosm in the language of traditional Sufi doctrines and how these converge on the idea of a relation between celestial archetypes and their counterpart and/or reflection on the indivdual plane of humans. It finally provides an example of how Suf authorities in mediaeval India have integrated these theoretical notions with the operational and methodological aspect in the context of a spiritual path envisaged as an imitation of the celestial journey accomplished by the prophet Muhammad during his nocturnal ascension (mi'raj) from Jerusalem to the Throne of God. Through this kind of progressive description, the author of this article intends to highlight the relevance, for speculative as well as for very practical reasons, a thorough understanding of how the celestial bodies work, move and thus influence the human nature in the fascinating albeit often neglected interplay between the realities in the cosm at large and their perceived reflections nsde the constitution of living beings, chiefly among them Man.