A comparative study of the concept of imaginationfrom the view points of Ibn-e-Arabi and Mowlana

Most Sufis believe that world of imagination is a world intermediating between pure intelligences and physical phenomena, a world in which spirits are embodied and bodies are immaterial. Mohyedin-e-Ibn-e-Arabi is one of the philosophers who have dealt with this concept. In his view, the concept of imagination is expanded considering his view about Oneness of Being and his special treatment of entities other than God. Imagination, to him, is no longer a mere intermediary between pure intelligences and physical phenomena. According to Ibn-e-Arabi, any thing that bears truth is imagination. Mowlana has also dealt with imagination and its qualities in the Mathnavi. Although the concept of imagination in Mowlana’s Mathnavi is not exactly similar to Ibn-e-Arabi’s notion, this paper tries to show the resemblances.