An Analytical Comparison of Salaman and Absal by Jaami, and The King and his Slave Girl by Mowlavi

Salamaan and Absal is the second verse story of the Seven Thrones (Haft Orang) by Jaami. It is a mystical and allegorical story. This story has been well-known from ancient times and has also been narrated by Honain Ibn Ishaq, Ibn Sina, Ibn Tofail, Khajeh Nassir-e Toosi, and others. There have been different interpretations of the story that are by and large philosophical. The aim of this paper is to provide an interpretation of the mystical concepts of Jami's Salaman and Absal by making a comparison with the Mowlavi's tale of "The King and His Slave Girl". It is important to note that Jami, who was well-acquainted with the Persian literary and Islamic theosophical works before him, was also profoundly influenced by Mowlavi's works and views. His exploitation of "The King and his Slave Girl" in composing of Salaman and Absal" is a proof of this influence.