The Sufi Doctrine of Rumi

by William C. Chittick

There are almost no authoratative books readily available for the general reader that provide, in clear and accessible language, an introduction to the spiritual perspective illuminating Rumi's magical poetry. In this beautifully illustrated work, William C. Chittick, a leading scholar of Sufism and Rumi, opens doors that give us access to the inner sanctum of Rummi's thought.

Genres: Islam, Religion, Spirituality, Mysticism, Philosophy, Nonfiction

120 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 16, 2005

About the author

is a philosopher, writer, translator and interpreter of classical Islamic philosophical and mystical texts. He is best known for his work on Rumi and Ibn 'Arabi, and has written extensively on the school of Ibn 'Arabi, Islamic philosophy, and Islamic cosmology.

Reviews

[Ervina Bajrami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Xhelāl ed-Din Mewlānā Rumi:

Ti je ashik i Zotit e Zoti është i tillë që, kur vjen Ai,
në ty s'mbetet asnjë qime.
Para vështrimit të Tij zhduken tej njëqind si ti...
Ti je hije, me diellin i dashuruar:
dielli vjen shpejt hijen për ta asgjësuar.
-Methnewī III, 4621-23

Ashku erdhi e u nis prapë
Si gjak në mish e në damar
Nga vetja Ashku më çliroi
Me Mikun tim më plotësoi.

S'mbet' tjetër veç emrit tim
Se çdo grimcë e qenies sime
U mor për vete nga Miku im
Që u bo saora tërësia ime.
-Rubā'īyāt, f.45

Qëkur së pari burrat i dëgjova
Rrëfimin e Ashkut aq mirë ta qanin
Në kauzën e tij shpejt u drejtova
Me zemrën, syrin tim dhe xhanin.

"Mos vallë", thashë, "janë dy,
i Dashuri e dashuruesi?":
Por dy, në fakt, dolën veç një,
Se fajin e kish shikuesi.
-Rubā'īyāt, f.48

A mos vallë kujton
Se bëj çfarë të dua
E ndërsa koha kalon
Gjithçka më lihet mua?

Si një penë unë rri
Përpara shkruesit tim
Apo vallë si top jam
Robi i çekiçit tim.
-Rubā'īyāt, f.17

I thashë zemrës, "Si ka mundësi
që marrëzia kështu t'pengon
nga të shërbyerit Atij,
që Emrin or' e çast ia bekon?"

"Më bën zullum- foli zemra,
që kaq shumë më keqkupton
unë Atij i shërbej pareshtur
je ti ai, që devijon."
Discourses, f.178

Kur shpirti u përhumb në soditje, tha këtë:
"Askush përveç Zotit s'e ka soditur bukurinë e Zotit"
Dīwān, f.91

Mos e shih Hirëplotin me syrin tënd, vëreje të Kërkuarin
me syrin e kërkuesve.
Mbylle syrin para atij Syëmbli; merr një sy hua nga
ashikët e Tij.
Jo biles, merr syrin dhe shikimin hua prej Tij, pastaj shihe
në Fytyrë me syrin e Tij.
Methnewī, IV, 75-77.

William C. Chittick -"Doktrina sufiste e Rumiut"
Shqipërimi: Edin Q. Lohja.
Tiranë: Zemra e Traditës, 2009

[Search · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enlightening. Exactly my sort of stuff.

[Shihab Ullah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I briefly read about Sufism in Reza Aslan's book 'No God but God' - William Chittick's 'The Sufi Doctrine of Rumi' definitely helped to broaden my understanding about Sufism, in general. The gnostic interpretation of any religion is complex - it often challenges your view of the religion itself and gives you a totally new perspective to ponder upon. I think the following extract summarizes the essence of Rumi's teaching (and probably Sufism in general) -

'In his preface to the fifth book of the Mathnawī, Rūmī summarizes the relationship between the exoteric law (the Sharī‘ah), the spiritual wayfaring which the Sufis undergo (the Tarīqah), and the Truth which is Sufism’s goal (the Haqīqah).He says that the Mathnawī is: . . . .
setting forth that the Religious Law is like a candle showing the way.
Unless you gain possession of the candle, there is no wayfaring [i.e., unless you follow the Sharī‘ah , you cannot enter the Tarīqah ];
and when you have come on to the way, your wayfaring is the Path;
and when you have reached the journey’s end, that is the Truth.'

The truth is the realization that there are no reality except for the reality of God. And a Sufi adherent takes upon the ardous task of attaining the Truth through spiritual invocation (dhikr) and other symbolism (practices) with the beacon of the exoteric law or Sharī‘ah. The understanding of the metaphysical knowledge or Gnosis (‘irfān) essentially requires the guidance of a spiritual master (Pir) who helps the traveler (the Sufi adherent) tread carefully through his journey.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book.

[muaad the poet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book is powerful, informative, interesting, well written and imaginative. I give it 5/5 because I can tell the author put some much work into the writing style and research. It’s truly a breathtaking book, especially the end and one that swiped me off my feet. If you want to learn about this topic, this is the book I recommend.

I use to see Rumi as just a poet but the truth is what drives him is his power as a theologian. You might disagree with his opinions and ideas but no one can deny the sophistication and his power as a theologian. It’s there where he truly gained mastery.

[Muhamed]

It's a sweet and short book but as Chittick says in the preface to the new edition, it's more about seeing Rumi through the lens of Ibn Arabi. Therefore, it's a good book about Sufism but I am not sure if it's a good book about Rumi.

[Faisal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scholarly introduction to Rumi’s thoughts.

[Ervina Bajrami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Xhelāl ed-Din Mewlānā Rumi:

Ti je ashik i Zotit e Zoti është i tillë që, kur vjen Ai,
në ty s'mbetet asnjë qime.
Para vështrimit të Tij zhduken tej njëqind si ti...
Ti je hije, me diellin i dashuruar:
dielli vjen shpejt hijen për ta asgjësuar.
-Methnewī III, 4621-23

Ashku erdhi e u nis prapë
Si gjak në mish e në damar
Nga vetja Ashku më çliroi
Me Mikun tim më plotësoi.

S'mbet' tjetër veç emrit tim
Se çdo grimcë e qenies sime
U mor për vete nga Miku im
Që u bo saora tërësia ime.
-Rubā'īyāt, f.45

Qëkur së pari burrat i dëgjova
Rrëfimin e Ashkut aq mirë ta qanin
Në kauzën e tij shpejt u drejtova
Me zemrën, syrin tim dhe xhanin.

"Mos vallë", thashë, "janë dy,
i Dashuri e dashuruesi?":
Por dy, në fakt, dolën veç një,
Se fajin e kish shikuesi.
-Rubā'īyāt, f.48

A mos vallë kujton
Se bëj çfarë të dua
E ndërsa koha kalon
Gjithçka më lihet mua?

Si një penë unë rri
Përpara shkruesit tim
Apo vallë si top jam
Robi i çekiçit tim.
-Rubā'īyāt, f.17

I thashë zemrës, "Si ka mundësi
që marrëzia kështu t'pengon
nga të shërbyerit Atij,
që Emrin or' e çast ia bekon?"

"Më bën zullum- foli zemra,
që kaq shumë më keqkupton
unë Atij i shërbej pareshtur
je ti ai, që devijon."
Discourses, f.178

Kur shpirti u përhumb në soditje, tha këtë:
"Askush përveç Zotit s'e ka soditur bukurinë e Zotit"
Dīwān, f.91

Mos e shih Hirëplotin me syrin tënd, vëreje të Kërkuarin
me syrin e kërkuesve.
Mbylle syrin para atij Syëmbli; merr një sy hua nga
ashikët e Tij.
Jo biles, merr syrin dhe shikimin hua prej Tij, pastaj shihe
në Fytyrë me syrin e Tij.
Methnewī, IV, 75-77.

William C. Chittick -"Doktrina sufiste e Rumiut"
Shqipërimi: Edin Q. Lohja.
Tiranë: Zemra e Traditës, 2009

[Shafiqah Othman · Rating 5 out of 5]

William Chittick’s The Sufi Doctrine of Rumi is an in-depth exploration of the teachings of the 13th-century Persian poet, Rumi. Chittick focuses specifically on the doctrines of Sufism as expounded by Rumi in his massive works, especially the Mathnawi. The book reviews the concept of tawhid (unity), the various levels of being, the states of the soul, and the relationship between the physical and the spiritual. He also examines Rumi’s views on love, wisdom, and the spiritual path.

This book is an excellent resource for anyone interested in Sufism or the works of Rumi. Chittick’s writing is clear and concise, making it easy to follow and understand the concepts discussed. He also provides a number of beautiful illustrative examples and quotations from Rumi’s works to help explain his points. Absolutely loved this illustrated edition.

[Rohan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice book with gorgeous artwork that complement the topics introduced by the author. Contains good overview of the main concepts within the mystical school of Islam.