Layla and Majnun

Introduction

Layla and Majnun by Nizami is considered as one of the most famous stories of Islamic World. Many scholars believe that there are over 100 translations of this story in Persian and Turkish languages (Coker, 2000). Both major characters of the story symbolize devotion to God, and the feminine divine can be seen dominating in the story. The Muslim Sufi and philosophers have explained the beauty of feminine divine through the major female figure of the story, Layla.

Discussion

Layla and Majnun is the popular romance of the Muslim world. The two major characters of the story are legends who strived to get united. Some versions of the story concluded in their union in this world, while other concluded that they were united after their death, in the next world. The story remains popular even today because it is not just a love story, but it provides people with a true and deep lesson of love and devotion for each other. The love which was so strong, that it was above all the worldly desires and heavens. However, the Muslims Sufis has transformed the story such that it symbolizes the love and devotion of a human being for Allah (God). The story has remained favorite of the Muslims Sufis because they associate the story with the love for God. They take into account the fact that love and affection for any worldly soul mate is just an illusion and could not provide eternal peace to the human heart, which can only be gained by loving God.

According to Ibn-e-Arabi, Majnun just had an illusion that he loved Layla, while he actually loved the greatest power and absolute beauty, the Allah. Ibn-e-Arabi made the argument that the prophets sent by God were not only to teach people that they should love and be devoted to God. In fact, the Prophets came to make the people realize that they are actually in love with the perfection made by God. Thus, the people can only find eternal peace by getting near to Allah. The heart of human being can only find peace in the remembrance of Allah, not in remembrance of any other beloved (Khumayni, P.348). To search for the proximity of God is embedded in the human nature, as Quran states the same in one of its verse. As the constraints of ambiguity are removed from the sight of human beings, and they become able to search for their actual beloved, (the Allah), they achieve spiritual peace.

According to religion Islam, Allah is absolute and infinite. Allah has both the characteristics of masculinity and femininity. For example, beauty is the aspect of femininity, and majesty is the aspect of masculinity and Allah reveals himself through all these aspects. Allah is the creator, which is the divine function of femininity, but at the same time, Allah represents the actions of law giving, movement, force and rigor (Brown, 2013). The Muslim Prophet Muhammad never tried to hide his love for the Women, particularly for his ...