Shebli’s Expression in The Conference of The Birds and Other Works of Attār

In order to express his mystical notions and thoughts Attār refers to the numinous and mystic figures in his anecdotes and tales and advises everyone to follow their deeds and examples. The present study investigates the character of Shebli, a mystic of the fourth and fifth centuries, who was respected by great Sufi scholars. He was a high ranking lover and mystic of unequalled lore and devotion. Many intellectual points, advices, phrases and also revelations and miracles have been attributed to him. Attār depicts him as the narrator of the anecdotes in Conference of Birds and his other works to expresses his own thoughts and ideas in both simple and cryptic ways. In this study, we have tried to analyze and interpret or demystify these anecdotes and tales. We have attempted to uncover the hidden secrets and symbols behind the lines. In every one of these tales and anecdotes, bearing the secrets and ways of mysticism, Attār puts forth his own words as quoted by Shebli, and revealing the hidden secrets in them is what this present study has attempted to achieve.