Description
Book SynopsisDiscover the richness of Rumi's spiritual tradition—through facing-page commentary that brings his writings to life for you. "This book you are now holding is a selection of what I believe are the best of Rumi’s accounts of the compassionate actions, sayings, and qualities of the Prophet, which include Rumi’s own inspired comments and explanations. It is my hope that you will be surprised and uplifted by the profound wisdom that Jalaluddin Rumi conveys through these stories and sayings." —from the Preface This great Sufi poet and teacher can become a companion for your own spiritual journey. The lyric and wisdom poetry of Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi has been an inspiration throughout the Middle East and Asia for over seven hundred years. Recently, it has also become popular in Western countries through translations and interpretive poetic versions in English. But while popular renderings have created the appreciation of Rumi the mystic, there is little understanding today of the religious and spiritual traditions from which the great mystic came. Rumi and Islam—Selections from His Stories, Poems, and Discourses examines not the popularized Rumi of universal love but the Sufi disciple whose works express deep reverence for the Prophet Muhammad. Ibrahim Gamard focuses on Rumi’s place within the Sufi tradition of Islam, as one of the greatest Muslim followers of the Prophet Muhammed, and on the Islamic foundations of his lover-Beloved mystical poetry. By probing verse by verse Rumi’s spiritual teachings, Gamard provides insight into the mystical side of the Qur’an and Islam, a religion that holds a deep love of God at its core. Now you can experience the profound and uplifting wisdom of Rumi even if you have no previous knowledge of Sufism or Islam. This SkyLight Illuminations edition presents the most important of Rumi’s writings, mainly from the Mathnawi, with insightful yet unobtrusive commentary that conveys how his teachings about the nature of love for God and God’s love for us can increase our understanding of Islamic wisdom in the West.
Trade Review"Dr. Ibrahim Gamard, after painstaking research from classical Persian texts, has masterfully managed to assemble wonderful summaries, quotations, and a wealth of important information in one book. This work will shatter some old myths and bring new light to the subject." —Ravan Farhadi, former professor of history of Persian classics, University of California at Berkeley; ambassador of Afghanistan to the United Nations “An excellent introductory return to the source for readers already fascinated with the poet.” —Library Journal
Table of ContentsPreface Introduction Stories of the Prophet 1. Warfare 2. The Captives 3. Hilal 4. The Sick One 5. Bilal 6. The Water Carrier 7. The Greedy Pagan 8. The Blind One 9. The Arrival of the Caravan 10. The Groaning Pillar 11. 'Ayisha 12. Zayd Sayings of the Prophet 13. Prayer and Guidance 14. Self-Denial and Ego-Death 15. Divine Sayings Praises of the Prophet 16. Affirmations and Blessings 17. Praises and Virtues 18. Love and Closeness with God 19. The Seal of the Prophets 20. The Night Journey, the Cave, and the Pillar 21. Prayer and Pilgrimage 22. The Light of Muhammad and Intercession 23. Death and Resurrection Notes Glossary Suggested Readings and Resources Index of Passages in Rumi's Works Acknowledgments
