A Comparative Study of the Greatest Obstacles in the Way of Development and Perfection of Human Beings from Nahj-albalaqa's and Mathnavi's Perspectives

In this paper we compare perspectives of Nahj-albalaqa (by Imam Ali (pbu) and Mathnavi (by Rumi)) on the obstacles of human perfection. Three most important obstacles are: soul commanding evil, Satan and love of this world. These three obstacles are mothers of the others and generate them. According to Imam Ali, when the soul get the divine nature it will not prevent man, but Satan never stops enmity against human. But Rumi believes that the danger of the soul is more than that of Satan. Both Imam Ali and Rumi mention two aspects of this world: deceptive aspect and advisor one. Whenever it becomes an instrument for Satan and soul commanding evil, it will be an obstacle of human perfection.