Comparison of Spiritual Recommendations of Khājeh ‘Abd Allah Ansāri with Monastic Rules of Saint Benedict

Abstract

Monastic commands of St. Benedict (480- 547 BC.) to his monk disciples and mystic commands of Khājeh ‘Abd Allah Ansāri (481-396 A.H.) with an emphasis on “The Rule of St. Benedict” and “Manāzil al-Sāyerin” is compared in this article. This comparison has done in a descriptive –analytic way, in order to reveal convergence between these two figures.
Considering that impressive place of these two figures in mysticism of two religions and the necessity of convergence for monotheists, prove the importance of this subject. Wakefulness, repentance, thinking, remembering death and the day of judgment, renunciation of the world, avoidance sin, purify intention, pure obedience, patience, ethics, humility, pray and love are common commands of both two orders. Benedict and Khājeh have different ideas about repentance and their attitude to the world. Two orders have most similarities in commands. The mystical origin of both is two Divine religions of Christianity and Islam both of which based on common humanly nature.

  • Receive Date: 29 January 2023
  • Revise Date:
  • Accept Date: 29 January 2023
  • Publish Date: 21 March 2014