A Comparative Review of Bahr al-Mahabbah fi Asrar al-Mavaddah with Anis al-Moridin va Shams al-Majales

Anis al-Moridin va Shams al-Majales and Bahr al-Mahabbah fi Asrar al-Mavaddah are the two Sufi interpretations in which Yusuf Surah, is described in a similar structure and content, one in Persian and the other in Arabic. as much as, Anis al-Moridin va Shams al-Majales is considered the Persian translation of the Bahr al-Mahabbah fi Asrar al-Mavaddah. this article is written to check the validity of this view. a comparative study of these two works shows that they are similar in many ways, and this reinforces this view. They are similar in common structure, storytelling preference, interpretive method, simple mystical approach, common interpretive narratives, mystical anecdotes, points and allusions, as well as sequence of contents. however, some discrepancies between the two works indicate that they could not be translations of each other. Some their different aspects are: the fictional adventures, the names and actions of the sub-characters, the brevity of the events, interpretive phrases and explanations, poetries, anecdotes, mystical points and allusions. In particular, these two works, in terms of significant similarities in content and structure, are very similar to some histories and interpretations of earlier centuries, including works that have been written specifically in the interpretation of this surah. it seems that one of the similarities between these two works is their benefit from common sources. We can also consider that one of these two books is the main source for the other book. in this case, Anis may be the main source of the Bahr.