bathin

Bathin is a transliteration variant of the Arabic word baṭīn, meaning inner or inward. In Islamic theology and Sufism, batin refers to the esoteric or hidden meanings of religious texts, in contrast to zahir, the apparent or outer meaning. The concept is used to discuss interpretation of the Qur’an, hadith, and doctrine beyond the literal wording.

In many Malay- and Indonesian-language discussions, batin is referenced as inner spirituality or the hidden aspects of faith; however, the spelling bathin is less standard than batin or baṭīn and may reflect nonstandard transliteration or orthography rather than a distinct term. The concept is primarily linguistic and theological rather than a separate cultural or geographical topic.

In scholarly contexts, batin is often discussed alongside taʿwīl (esoteric interpretation) and the broader discourse on esotericism within Islamic thought. It is used to distinguish deeper, internal meanings from surface readings of religious texts, and it may be invoked in discussions of mystical practice or doctrinal interpretation.

There are no widely recognized standalone entities, places, or persons simply named Bathin in prominent reference works; thus, the term is generally understood as a transliteration variant rather than a distinct subject. For further context, see baṭīn, zahīr (zāhir), taʾwīl, and Sufi esotericism.