Image of Iblis in Masnavi Mawlana Jalal al -din Balkhi

Iblis in Masnavi Mauwlana has two distinct faces. On one hand, its character is recognized as being vicious, and ominious, determined to destroy the God's purpose. At times, it is regarded as being equivalent to Nafs Amareh, leading man to temptation, and only through the directions of a spiritual guide one can be saved from such temptations. However, in Masnavi the other face of Iblis is rather peculiar, and there are similarities of vision with the works of great mystics such as Ain al Ghozat, and Hallaj. This image of Iblis is revealed in the story of' Muaweyah,and Iblis" where one comes to realize the broadmindedness, and profound vision of a man who implicitly makes invaluable, scholarly points. This story has been revised in this article and Mawlana's viewpoints, and also similar inferences in the history of mystical thought were investigated.