A Comparative Study of Sanāyī's Sīr al-Ibād Ila al-Ma ād and Attār's Musībat Nāmih

Sanāyī’s Sīr al-Ibād Ila al-Ma’ād and Attār’s Musībat Nāmih are among the most important spiritual travelogues. There are similarities and differences between these two works. The differences are rooted in Sanāyī’s life and thought and the impact of unspiritual poems upon him. Indeed, Sanāyī is the poet of Taqhīq genre of poetry and Sīr al-Ibād is not completely mystical either. Additionally, Sanāyī is a pioneer in this domain, therefore, in the course of time, mystical language and thought have developed and have reached the acme of their growth in Attār’s travel account. In this article a general view of spiritual journey and its motivations and challenges are presented by providing an overview of similarities and differences between these two works. The differences are: 1. Structural differences, 2. Dual symbolism, 3. Different spaces. The similarities are: 1.Stages of creation, 2.Complaining about the world, 3.Return to the origin, 4.The wayfarer and the old sage, 5.The style of conversation, 6.The destination of the journey. The review of the similarities between spiritual journeys represents the general specifications of such works and puts them forth as motifs in mystical literature.