Yousefi, A., Ashraf Imami, A. (2025). A Reflection on the Meaning and Origins of Mowlana’s Verse «Yonder World is a City Full of Bazaar and Gain». , 58(1), 20-1. doi: 10.22067/jls.2025.84492.1503
Amir Yousefi; Ali Ashraf Imami. "A Reflection on the Meaning and Origins of Mowlana’s Verse «Yonder World is a City Full of Bazaar and Gain»". , 58, 1, 2025, 20-1. doi: 10.22067/jls.2025.84492.1503
Yousefi, A., Ashraf Imami, A. (2025). 'A Reflection on the Meaning and Origins of Mowlana’s Verse «Yonder World is a City Full of Bazaar and Gain»', , 58(1), pp. 20-1. doi: 10.22067/jls.2025.84492.1503
Yousefi, A., Ashraf Imami, A. A Reflection on the Meaning and Origins of Mowlana’s Verse «Yonder World is a City Full of Bazaar and Gain». , 2025; 58(1): 20-1. doi: 10.22067/jls.2025.84492.1503
A Reflection on the Meaning and Origins of Mowlana’s Verse «Yonder World is a City Full of Bazaar and Gain»
1PhD of Religions and Comparative Mysticism, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
2Associate Professor at the Department of Religions and Comparative Mysticism, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
Abstract
In interpreting the verse "Yonder world is a city full of bazaar and gain", most commentators have confined themselves to either reading it as a general reference to the possibility of gain (Kasb) in the hereafter, or Mowlānā's concern with the consequences of virtuous actions in this world -which yield wealth and enjoyment in the afterlife. However, the author considers this verse related to the hadith of "Ṣuq al-Ṣuwar" (the Bazaar of forms) and through this interpretation proposes a fresh and innovative understanding. This concept may also be viewed in relation to thr notion of "Ṣūq al-Ṣuwar" as articulated by Ibn al-ʻArabī, who has spoken on this matter more extensively than others. In this article, after a brief overview of the interpretations provided by all prominent commentators of the Mas̲navī, the connection of this verse with the concept of the gain in the otherworld is addressed -firstly in the sense of possibility of such gain, and secondly in relation to the notion of gain otherworldly forms. To gain otherworldly forms is contrasted with the worldly gain, and Mowlana portrays worldly gain, in contrast to gain in hereafter, as a child's play. Understanding the reason for that and realization of the utopia in the afterlife through "Ṣūq al-Ṣuwar" are of the important findings of this study.
