Jalaluddin Rumi, the great Sufi poet and mystic born in 1204, believed that if we surrender ourselves to the power of love, it is possible to live in a state of infinite bliss. This collection features poems from the Divan to Shams-e Tabriz, odes to the inspirational and mysterious figure who changed Rumi's life and led him to spiritual enlightenment; from the Ruba'iyat, which are brief lyric pieces of a set form; and from the Mathnavi-e Na'navi, the Poem of Inner Meanings, which, through its esoteric teachings, offers moral and spiritual knowledge. Raficq Abdulla captures the energy and power of the original. Each page is illustrated with miniatures and decorations from Islamic manuscripts, including ancient Mathnavis.

Author Biography

Raficq Abdulla was awarded an MBE in 1999 for his ecumenical work among Muslims, Jews and Christians. He has written and presented numerous radio programmes about Islam for the BBC, including a series of talks on the Prophet Muhammad and the Four Caliphs, and programmes on Jalaluddin Rumi. He has written award-winning screenplays for Channel 4, poetry and articles for a range of journals, and he is a frequent book reviewer. He lives in London W12.