The Persian Mystics: Jalalu'd-din Rumi

The Persian Mystics: Jalalu'd-din Rumi
By F. Hadland Davis

This volume, part of the popular "Wisdom of the East" series, offers an accessible introduction to the life, thought, and poetry of Jalal ad-Din Rumi, the 13th-century Persian mystic whose verse remains among the most widely read spiritual poetry in the world. F. Hadland Davis draws on the scholarly translations of Nicholson and Whinfield to present Rumi's ideas on divine love, the self, and mystical union to a general audience.

First published in 1920, the book blends biography, selected translated verses, and interpretive commentary, making it a gentle entry point into Rumi's vast body of work for readers new to Sufi poetry.

A public-domain work, offered as a free digital edition by Nile Book Store.

Excerpt

Among the Mohammedans Súfíism, or Persian mysticism, is known as tasawwuf. The word Súfí is derived from súf, meaning “wool.” When a little Persian sect at the end of the eighth century A.D. broke away from the orthodox Muslim religion, and struck out on an independent path, they ignored costly robes and worldly ostentation, and clad themselves in a white wool garment. Hence they were known as “wool wearers,” or Súfís.

Prof. Edward G. Browne gives four theories in regard to the origin of Súfíism, viz.: (1) Esoteric Doctrine of the Prophet. (2) Reaction of the Aryan mind against a Semitic religion. (3) Neo-Platonist influence. (4) Independent origin.