“خیال” in the Masnavi

He approached from afar, like the crescent moon in slenderness and radiance, appearing as though he were both there and not there (forming and dissolving before the eye like a figure of the imagination).

Imagination within the soul is like something that both is and is not; yet behold, an entire world moves and rests upon that very imagination.

Their peace and their war rest upon imagination, and from imagination alone spring their pride and their shame.

Yet those imaginings that become the snare of the saints are in truth the reflection of the moon-faced beauties of the garden of God.

That very image the king had seen in his dream now became manifest in the face of the guest.