Sama in the Works of Sulamī and Ghazālī Based on Verbal Presuppositions

Verbal presupposition is a linguistics subject that is paid attention in interpreting texts. Verbal presuppositions, as hypotheses and ideas about linguistic knowledge and outlook of writer of a text, are shared with potential readers. We are connected to the old texts by reconstruction of historical situations and the thoughts that were in common use at the time which the text was produced. Sama (ritual that often includes singing, dancing, recitation of poetry and prayers) is one of disputed subjects in the history of Sufism and there are many contradictory evaluations about it, so for understanding the meaning of these evaluations, we need to know their verbal presuppositions. The aim of present article is to compare the concept of sama in the works of Abū Abd ar-Rahmān as-Sulamī and Ahmad Ghazālī by using lingusitic and semantic method. Also, we try to show the function of presuppositions in a comprehensive recognition of the ritual’s historical development. According to the presuppositions, there are two periods in the formation of sama: generation and stability. Abū Abd ar-Rahmān as-Sulamī, based on his phenomenological and wholistic approach belongs to the period of generation, and Ahmad Ghazālī, with regards to his metaphorical language and phenomenological – psycological approach belongs to the period of stability.