Rumi's Metaphor of Adam's Expulsion as the Decline of Youth in Old Age
In Section 44 of Book Five of the Masnavi, Rumi employs the narrative of Adam's expulsion from Paradise as an extended metaphor for the physical decline of old age. He describes the aging person as the 'Adam of beauty' who was once prostrated to by others but is now 'dismissed' and dragged out of the 'paradise' of youth by Gabriel (representing the inevitable passage of time). The shedding of physical beauty, strength, and hair during old age is likened to Adam's heavenly robes being stripped away during his trial. Through this metaphor, Rumi illustrates that physical youth and beauty are merely temporary, 'borrowed' garments granted by God, which must eventually be returned as a matter of divine judgment.
0
1
Tags
Humanities
Literature
Islam
Religion
Science
Philosophy
Social Science
Persian Literature Prerequisite Course
Related
دفتر پنجم - بخش ۴۵ - تفسیر أَسْفَلَ سافِلینَ إِلَّا الَّذینَ آمَنوا وَ عَمِلُوا الصّالِحاتِ فَلَهُمْ أَجْرٌ غَیْرُ مَمْنونٍ / Book Five - Section 45 - Commentary on 'the Lowest of the Low, Except for Those Who Believe and Do Righteous Deeds, for They Will Have an Uninterrupted Reward'
Rumi's Interpretation of Physical Decline and Asfal Safilin
Rumi's Metaphor of Adam's Expulsion as the Decline of Youth in Old Age