A Comparative Study of "Ahlol- Kahf" [A Play Written by Tofigh Al- Hakeem] and "the Men of the Cave"

[the Story of Seven Sleepers in the Holy Koran]

V. Meimandi[1]

F. Jamshidi[2]

Abstract

The prosperity- giving concepts in the Holy Koran have always been a concern for Muslim intellectuals and writers. Many thinkers have tried to reflect these concepts in their writings so that they can pave the way for the guidance of mankind towards prosperity. Many researchers have focused on the influence of religious texts, and in particular, the influence of the Holy Koran and its interpretations on literary texts in their approaches to criticism.

Using library sources in a descriptive- analytical manner, the present study tries to compare and contrast two stories about the Seven Sleepers, i.e., "Ahlol- Kahd" [a play written by Tofigh Al- Hakeem who has greatly contributed to the development of drama in the Arabic language] and "The Men of the Cave" [the story in the Holy Koran]. The present study first presents a discussion about the relationship between religion and literature, and then it presents a short biography of Tofigh Al- Hakeem, including a discussion of the works of this conspicuous playwright and his contributions to literature. It has been demonstrated how the playwright alludes to the Holy Book of Muslims in order to promulgate his ideas and institutionalize ethical principles among the readers. Findings show that the play has been inspired by the Holy Koran and various Koranic interpretations in many respects for example, the elements of time and place and the imagery of some physical space such as the absence of sunlight in the cave and such concepts as monotheism and the causes of death among the Men of the cave.

Key Words: The Holy Koran, Literature, Literary Criticism, Tofigh Al- Hakeem, Ahlol- Kahf.