The Anthropomorphic Images in Rumi's Masnavi Manavi

Apart from its literary beauty and charm, Rumi's Masnavi Manavi encompasses profound concepts that continue to resonate with today's intellectual standards even after centuries. This timeless nature of the work prevents it from becoming obsolete and keeps it perpetually fresh. Undoubtedly, one of the most profound concepts in Masnavi Manavi is the concept of human. According to the Masnavi Manavi, man possesses various levels and dimensions, each with its unique characteristics and attributes. Sometimes, he/she may appear weak and humble, but despite these traits, he/she also exhibits pride, rebelliousness, and overbearing nature. Additionally, there are moments when he/she has a god-like presence, portraying dignity, with the entire world being reflected in him/her. But what is important is that these two dimensions form the basis of anthropomorphic depictions of God, the world, divine matters, and natural affairs. The present study reflects on the origins and contexts of humanism and anthropomorphism, and aims to analyze the anthropomorphic images and their themes in Rumi's Masnavi Manavi using a descriptive-analytical approach. The research shows how human knowledge, cognition, language, expression, and imagination are consistently influenced by anthropomorphism, even when talking about "tanzih" (transcendence).