Conflicts between Life and Death in the Poems of Abu al Atahiya and Nasir Khosrow: A Comparative Thematic Study

Life and death as poetic subjects have engaged man’s mind since ancient times. These subjects are considered as important themes in ascetic poetry whereby ascetic poets have tried to discover the truth of life and death. The current study attempts to investigate the phenomenon of life against death in the poems of Abu al Atahiya and Nasir Khosrow in terms of comparative analysis. It is beyond any doubt that life against death is considered as one of the most important pivots of ascetic poetry among pious poets. In their ascetic poems, these two poets have unveiled the concept of life against death. Looking at their poems, one may figure out that Abu al Atahiya was greatly afraid of death in his life, trying to escape it, but he could not possibly do so, and ultimately, he adopted death to advise and preach. Nasir Khosrow, also, wrote about the theme in his ascetic poetry, and believed that it was imminent. In this regard, he drew on religious foundations and recommended readers to take advantage of good deeds and get ready to die.