Dramatic Reading of the Story of Uwais al-Qarani in Tadhkirat al-Awliya by Attar of Nishapur

Abstract

Tadhkirat al-Awliya by Attar is a mystical work written in simple prose, with some sections in rhymed prose (sajʿ), in which the life accounts of seventy-two saints and Sufi sheikhs are presented. Attar has sought to reflect the political, social, economic, and literary conditions of his time. In examining the dramatic aspects of this work, it is necessary not only to understand the mindset and language of Attar, but also to possess comprehensive familiarity and command over elements of dramatic structure, including plot motifs, genre, style, and theatrical techniques. The story of Uwais al-Qarani holds significant dramatic potential, which can be actualized through the identification of theatrical elements within the narrative and analysis of various methods of adapting these elements for performance. The central question posed in this study is: What are the dramatic aspects of this story, and how can a dramatic reading be produced through their analysis? The method employed in this research is descriptive-analytical, and the data were collected through library-based research. The findings of this study demonstrate, to a certain extent, the dramatic value of a sample narrative from Tadhkirat al-Awliya, and provide a foundation for adapting other narratives from the text into theatrical plays.