Abstract

Many world religions use teachings on mortality as an integrated strategy for ethical training and spiritual growth. The theme of death forms one of the most important foundations of Ghazālī and Rūmī's thought. The concept of death is presented and interpreted from interesting angles in relation to Islamic spirituality. In the writings of Rūmī, for instance, the idea of dying before death is a recurring theme. In the works of the two Sufi scholars, death is seen as a way of attaining high spiritual life. The present paper examines the various metaphors, imagery, and allegories related to death in the famous works of the two authors. Their ideas speak volumes of their genius, especially when speaking of a concept without shape and form.