Rūmī's Asceticism Explored
A Comparative Glimpse into Meister Eckhart's Thought
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 3299700 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Rasoul Rahbari Ghazani (0000-0001-6620-2340, University of Religions and Denominations, corresponding author), Saliha Uysal (0000-0002-0324-7899, Istanbul University) |
| Year | 2023 |
| Volume | 14 |
| Issue | 10 |
| Pages | 1254 |
| Publication date | 2023-10-02 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Religions (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2077-1444 • E-ISSN: 2077-1444 |
| Publisher | MDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT) |
| DOI | 10.3390/rel14101254 |
| OpenAlex | W4387268245 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 3 |
This paper examines the nature of "asceticism" (rīyāḍat) in Sufism, revolving around the works of the 13th century Persian Sufi Mawlānā Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī Balkī and exploring two critical inquiries: Firstly, it seeks to determine whether Rūmī's mystical perspective on asceticism is world-rejecting or world-affirming. Secondly, it investigates potential parallels and divergences between Rūmī and Meister Eckhart's stances-specifically, through the Dominican's Sermons and Treatises-and assesses the implications for the two figures. In examining Rūmī's works, the current research primarily relies on secondary sources within the Persian intellectual tradition to provide an intracultural context. Utilizing horizontal and vertical interpretations, this study examines critical themes in Rūmī's works, such as love, detachment (zuhd), the world's deceptive nature, and seclusion. The findings reveal that Rūmī's asceticism is not "monastic" (ruhbānī); instead, it balances moderate abstinence and worldly engagement, underpinned by the Quran and the ḥadīth teachings. Rūmī and Eckhart underscore asceticism as an inner transformation rather than mere physical austerity, emphasizing inner purification, self-transcendence, and spiritual detachment as routes to divine unity. The two thinkers' teachings are catalysts for profound personal transformation and a more fulfilling life in today's world
Aesthetics · Art · Asceticism · Islam · Literature · Mysticism · Parallels · Political science · Sufism · Theology · Wildness · Education and Islamic Studies · History · Islamic Studies and History · Law · Medieval and Classical Philosophy · Philosophy
| Highly cited | No |
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