Meaning, Presence, and Living God In Search of the Interpretation of " Meaning is God"

In Shams Tabrizi's articles, in two places from two different parts, there is a short phrase in which "meaning" is known as "God". The same phrase has been quoted by Rūmī in the Mathnawī Ma'nawī from the words of "Sheikh Dīn" and its theme has been repeated many times in the teachings of "Bahā Walad". In the present article, the author, after reviewing the history of researches and interpretations about the creator of that phrase and its meaning, has attempted to provide a more accurate interpretation of the phrase "Meaning is God." by commenting on parts of Mustamilī's explanation in Sharh-e Ta'aaruf, the comments of Hujwīrī in Kashful Mahjūb and Nāser Khusru's opinions in Zādulmusāfur, on the one hand, and by viewing the theories expressed by Alston and Wittgenstein, on the other hand.  As described in the present article, the phrase is based on a special view about the concepts of signification and meaning, and "Bahā Walad", Shams, and Rūmī want to express the "presence" of God in the universe by applying that phrase.