Page 1 - The Book of Rumi
P. 1
Philip Pullman, author of His Dark
ABOUT THE AUTHORS From The Book of Rumi Materials trilogy, has remarked that
“after nourishment, shelter, and
Rumi (Jala¯l od-Din Mohammad The Zoroastrian and the Moslem companionship, stories are the thing
Balkhi) was a 13th-century Persian we need most in the world.” This
Sunni Muslim poet, jurist, Islamic new collection of Rumi stories fi lls
scholar, theologian, and Sufi mystic. wo men had been friends since childhood; one was a Moslem and that need.
Tthe other a Zoroastrian. One day as they were drinking coffee the This fresh, prose translation of
Maryam Mafi was born and raised Moslem turned to his friend and suggested: “My friend, how about you 105 short teaching stories by Rumi,
in Iran. She graduated from Tufts fi nally becoming a good Moslem?” which form the core of the six-
University in 1977, and while reading “If God wills it, I will convert,” said the Zoroastrian cunningly. volume Masnavi, explores the hidden
for her master’s degree in international “Allah wants you to turn to Him so that He can save you from spiritual aspects of everyday experi-
communications at American and hell, but it’s your menacing ego that pulls you back toward disbelief.” ence. Rumi transforms the seemingly
Georgetown Universities, she began mundane events of daily life into
translating Persian literature and has “I know you as a fair man, my friend,” replied the Zoroastrian profound Sufi teaching moments.
been doing so ever since. Maryam gravely. “When that which you call the ego has conquered and continues to These prose gems open the portal to
lives in London. rule me, I’ve no choice but to obey it, for it is far more powerful than me. I the world of the ancient mystic.
would never dare think that anything in the world can be done without the Rumi’s voice alternates between
Narguess Farzad is a senior fellow will of God; therefore, I conclude that if He truly wanted me not to be a playful and authoritative, whether
in Persian studies at the School of Zoroastrian, He wouldn’t have made me one! he is telling stories of ordinary lives
Oriental and African Studies at the “If your Allah holds absolute supremacy and dominates all realms or inviting the discerning reader to
University of London. higher levels of introspection and
but still can’t pull me toward Him, then His will does not exceed all. So,
attainment of transcendent values.
what’s the use of me converting? He has bestowed free will on us, and we’re
Mafi ’s translations delicately reflect
responsible for putting it to good use, which I hope I’m doing!” the nuances of Rumi’s poetry while
Having spoken his mind, the Zoroastrian continued to sit beside retaining the positive tone of all of
the Moslem, both quietly sipping their coffee in peace. Rumi’s writings, as well as the sense
of suspense and drama that mark the
essence of the Masnavi.
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