Elements of Sufism in the poetry of Rumi and Whitman: Comparative Study

This research work is a comparative study of the Persian poet Jalal ad-Din Rumi and the American poet Walt Whitman. The first question which arises here is how far it is feasible to study these two poets, remote not only in time and space but also in culture, tradition, language, and nationality. The key phrase in this topic is 'Comparative Study.' Comparative Literary Study can be defined as an academic field dealing with the study of literature and cultural expressions across linguistic, national, and disciplinary boundaries. It "performs a role similar to that of the study of international relations, but work with languages and artistic traditions, to understand cultures from the inside." In short, Comparative Literature is "literature without borders."

The present comparative study tries to investigate the common Sufi and transcendental elements in Rumi and Whitman and also the former's influence on the latter. Despite geographical, linguistic, and historical differences, certain common ideas seem to exist between the two poets and this makes this research on comparative study an interesting one. To compare and examine the Sufi notions Rumi's Mathnavi Manavi and Divan Shams and Whitman's Leaves of Grass have been considered in this research work. A glance at the previous studies of Rumi and Whitman reveals that the elements of 'Sufism' have been ignored in the poetry of Whitman.

In the present study, the following questions have been enquired:

1. What is 'Sufism'? How did it arise? What are its essential features?
2. What is classical Persian Sufi poetry? Who are the masters of classical Persian Sufi poetry and how they have influenced Rumi?
3. How has 'Sufism' influenced both Rumi and Whitman?
4. Has Rumi influenced Whitman?
5. What are the common Sufi elements in Rumi and Whitman?

All in all, the mystical thoughts of both poets are so close, and because Rumi's mystical thoughts are interpreted in the field of 'Islamic mysticism' which is 'Sufism', hence, the strong affinity between the two poets has been investigated in terms of Sufi aspect. Evidence represented that Whitman was familiar with Persian poetry and Islamic mysticism, and he was inspired by the beauty of Sufi poetry. Both poets considered self-knowledge as the only way for salvation. Rumi and Whitman emphasized the soul of man, which is mixed with the Nature of immortality. They believed human eternal love is widespread in all creations. In their idea, annihilation can be achieved by love, which is the most important element of creation.