A Philosophical Inquiry into the Dilemma of Evil in Ahmad Kani's Mem and Zin

This study aims to analyze the narrative of Mam and Zin, which illustrates the separation of two lovers as a manifestation of the broader conflict between good and evil. The story raises profound existential questions within the metaphysical and theological frameworks of the good-evil dichotomy. This philosophical dimension has received limited scholarly attention and has not been thoroughly examined concerning theological doctrines and philosophical inquiries. Previous interpretations of the text have predominantly focused on themes of nationalism, Kurdishness, mysticism, romance, mythology, and folkloric literature. This paper contends that Mam and Zin transcends its status as a mere love story, addressing core philosophical questions surrounding existential crises through the struggle between good and evil. The tragic love central to the narrative serves as an external representation of this dilemma. Consequently, the text is examined as an exploration of enduring philosophical and theological questions: Why does evil exist, and how is it permitted to prevail in the world? The interpretation derived from the text suggests that the existence of evil is a prerequisite for the existence of good. This notion positions the narrator in a state of dilemma, creating a conscious challenge that resonates throughout the entire narrative.