Sin of Repentance; An Analysis of Repentance Status from Virtue to Vice in the Pire Changi Story of Mevlana's Mathnavi

Mevlana’s Mathnavi is called “Persian Quran”. This valuable and transcendental work is full of mystical thoughts and teachings. This book includes the significant issues of mysticism and Sufism such as trust in God, contentment, submission, abstinence, affection, forbearance, repentance, annihilation, and immortality. By using the form of fiction, Mevlana has enthusiastically paid attention to many mystical issues, which have been also stated in Sufi’s texts, and thus made them more attractive and effective. This method has attracted many addressees as readers. One of these mystical issues is repentance which can be especially studied in the story of Pire Changi. There are different notions about repentance among mystics and Sufis. Mevlana’s point of view, at first, seems paradoxical and ambiguous. In this story, he represents the state of repentance from the beginning stage of soul awakening to the end of total absorption and mortality. Another important element which can be studied in this story is the issue of dream. Hence, dream is a medium for connecting with the world of meaning. In this story, he agrees with those who believe that in the highest degree of repentance, the soberness of the repentant is a sin and such people should forget about their materialistic life and repent of repentance.