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The Illustrated Rumi: A Treasury of Wisdom from the Poet of the Soul
“One could live a complete life based on the wondrous words of Rumi. But add images and story, and you have more than enough for a lifetime, an overabundance…an excess of wisdom, beauty, and pleasure. This book will be one of the few I take wherever I go.” —Thomas Moore, author of Care of the Soul and Original Self
This richly illustrated collection delivers a fresh and inspiring way to read Rumi’s most intimate poems of love, rage, sadness, joy, and longing. No other edition of Rumi’s poetry combines his singularly passionate words with authentic, rare, and wonderful Sufi and Islamic art. Readers moved by Sappho, Hafiz, Rilke, or by Coleman Barks’ translations of Rumi will relish the beautiful imagery and new translations in this unique volume of some of the finest works by “the most popular poet in America” (Time magazine).
This richly illustrated collection delivers a fresh and inspiring way to read Rumi’s most intimate poems of love, rage, sadness, joy, and longing. No other edition of Rumi’s poetry combines his singularly passionate words with authentic, rare, and wonderful Sufi and Islamic art. Readers moved by Sappho, Hafiz, Rilke, or by Coleman Barks’ translations of Rumi will relish the beautiful imagery and new translations in this unique volume of some of the finest works by “the most popular poet in America” (Time magazine).
256 pages, Paperback
Published December 21, 2010
43 people are currently reading
2199 people want to read
About the author
Jalal ad-Din Muhammad ar-Rumi
1,171 books15.7k followersSufism inspired writings of Persian poet and mystic Jalal ad-Din Muhammad ar-Rumi; these writings express the longing of the soul for union with the divine.
Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī - also known as Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Balkhī, Mevlânâ/Mawlānā (مولانا, "our master"), Mevlevî/Mawlawī (مولوی, "my master") and more popularly simply as Rumi - was a 13th-century Persian poet, jurist, Islamic scholar, theologian and Sufi mystic who lived in Konya, a city of Ottoman Empire (Today's Turkey). His poems have been widely translated into many of the world's languages, and he has been described as the most popular poet and the best-selling poet in the United States.
His poetry has influenced Persian literature, but also Turkish, Ottoman Turkish, Azerbaijani, Punjabi, Hindi, and Urdu, as well as the literature of some other Turkic, Iranian, and Indo-Aryan languages including Chagatai, Pashto, and Bengali.
Due to quarrels between different dynasties in Khorāṣān, opposition to the Khwarizmid Shahs who were considered devious by his father, Bahā ud-Dīn Wālad or fear of the impending Mongol cataclysm, his father decided to migrate westwards, eventually settling in the Anatolian city Konya, where he lived most of his life, composed one of the crowning glories of Persian literature, and profoundly affected the culture of the area.
When his father died, Rumi, aged 25, inherited his position as the head of an Islamic school. One of Baha' ud-Din's students, Sayyed Burhan ud-Din Muhaqqiq Termazi, continued to train Rumi in the Shariah as well as the Tariqa, especially that of Rumi's father. For nine years, Rumi practised Sufism as a disciple of Burhan ud-Din until the latter died in 1240 or 1241. Rumi's public life then began: he became an Islamic Jurist, issuing fatwas and giving sermons in the mosques of Konya. He also served as a Molvi (Islamic teacher) and taught his adherents in the madrassa. During this period, Rumi also travelled to Damascus and is said to have spent four years there.
It was his meeting with the dervish Shams-e Tabrizi on 15 November 1244 that completely changed his life. From an accomplished teacher and jurist, Rumi was transformed into an ascetic.
On the night of 5 December 1248, as Rumi and Shams were talking, Shams was called to the back door. He went out, never to be seen again. Rumi's love for, and his bereavement at the death of, Shams found their expression in an outpouring of lyric poems, Divan-e Shams-e Tabrizi. He himself went out searching for Shams and journeyed again to Damascus.
Rumi found another companion in Salaḥ ud-Din-e Zarkub, a goldsmith. After Salah ud-Din's death, Rumi's scribe and favourite student, Hussam-e Chalabi, assumed the role of Rumi's companion. Hussam implored Rumi to write more. Rumi spent the next 12 years of his life in Anatolia dictating the six volumes of this masterwork, the Masnavi, to Hussam.
In December 1273, Rumi fell ill and died on the 17th of December in Konya.
Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī - also known as Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Balkhī, Mevlânâ/Mawlānā (مولانا, "our master"), Mevlevî/Mawlawī (مولوی, "my master") and more popularly simply as Rumi - was a 13th-century Persian poet, jurist, Islamic scholar, theologian and Sufi mystic who lived in Konya, a city of Ottoman Empire (Today's Turkey). His poems have been widely translated into many of the world's languages, and he has been described as the most popular poet and the best-selling poet in the United States.
His poetry has influenced Persian literature, but also Turkish, Ottoman Turkish, Azerbaijani, Punjabi, Hindi, and Urdu, as well as the literature of some other Turkic, Iranian, and Indo-Aryan languages including Chagatai, Pashto, and Bengali.
Due to quarrels between different dynasties in Khorāṣān, opposition to the Khwarizmid Shahs who were considered devious by his father, Bahā ud-Dīn Wālad or fear of the impending Mongol cataclysm, his father decided to migrate westwards, eventually settling in the Anatolian city Konya, where he lived most of his life, composed one of the crowning glories of Persian literature, and profoundly affected the culture of the area.
When his father died, Rumi, aged 25, inherited his position as the head of an Islamic school. One of Baha' ud-Din's students, Sayyed Burhan ud-Din Muhaqqiq Termazi, continued to train Rumi in the Shariah as well as the Tariqa, especially that of Rumi's father. For nine years, Rumi practised Sufism as a disciple of Burhan ud-Din until the latter died in 1240 or 1241. Rumi's public life then began: he became an Islamic Jurist, issuing fatwas and giving sermons in the mosques of Konya. He also served as a Molvi (Islamic teacher) and taught his adherents in the madrassa. During this period, Rumi also travelled to Damascus and is said to have spent four years there.
It was his meeting with the dervish Shams-e Tabrizi on 15 November 1244 that completely changed his life. From an accomplished teacher and jurist, Rumi was transformed into an ascetic.
On the night of 5 December 1248, as Rumi and Shams were talking, Shams was called to the back door. He went out, never to be seen again. Rumi's love for, and his bereavement at the death of, Shams found their expression in an outpouring of lyric poems, Divan-e Shams-e Tabrizi. He himself went out searching for Shams and journeyed again to Damascus.
Rumi found another companion in Salaḥ ud-Din-e Zarkub, a goldsmith. After Salah ud-Din's death, Rumi's scribe and favourite student, Hussam-e Chalabi, assumed the role of Rumi's companion. Hussam implored Rumi to write more. Rumi spent the next 12 years of his life in Anatolia dictating the six volumes of this masterwork, the Masnavi, to Hussam.
In December 1273, Rumi fell ill and died on the 17th of December in Konya.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 14, 2011
An absolutely beautiful book. The pictures are utterly stunning and the words are like music. I am so very happy I gave this book to my sister as a birthday present! I could read it a million times and never tire of it.
June 28, 2008
Rumi was a Story Teller who spoke to those who listened in song-like tales that metered and rhymed like music. These tales are therefore poetic parables with strong and enduring spiritual messages that touch us eternally, and outside any particular spiritual tradition, though with often a strong flavor of islam.
January 8, 2012
I am currently reading this, and am so glad it was gifted to me for Mother's Day. Very beautiful and inspiring! I have not added a full review yet, as this book is not a simple cover -to-cover read. The verses and stories teach lessons of life, and therefore require comtemplation and meditation. So I have decided to read one a day for inspiration, and will post a full review at my leisure. :)
July 19, 2014
what a wonderful book it is........
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2013
This is a beautiful book, and a lovely collection of spiritual writings. I recommend reading it outside, where you can... I don't know, experience it better. The poems especially read better in sunlight.
NB: There's a gay couple in one of the stories. Nothing said about it. Just a random gay couple, and Rumi's all "NBD pay attention to the moral." Very nice to see.
NB: There's a gay couple in one of the stories. Nothing said about it. Just a random gay couple, and Rumi's all "NBD pay attention to the moral." Very nice to see.
February 15, 2008
Beautiful artwork, great book to pick up when stressed out about things to gain a larger perspective
March 16, 2016
Breathtaking artwork. Rumi has the key to my soul. I could read this 100 times and not get sick of it.
December 8, 2020
One Rumi book and filled with Persian and arabesque illustrations. A beautiful beautiful piece!
March 29, 2019
My Instagram feed is filled with Rumi quotes (#positivity), so I thought, "let's see the unabridged version." I enjoyed learning more about the poet and theologian - spoiler alert: he may have been the original whirling dervish! The art was beautiful. But, it's just not my usual book and it didn't resonate with me. I appreciated the history but much less the poetry (perhaps there is something lost in translation). The parables included did remind me of a favorite quote:
"Religion is a cnadle inside a multicolored lantern. Everyone looks through a particular color, but the candle is always there." - Mohammed Neguib
Interesting. Beautiful. Worth a look.
"Religion is a cnadle inside a multicolored lantern. Everyone looks through a particular color, but the candle is always there." - Mohammed Neguib
Interesting. Beautiful. Worth a look.
July 5, 2023
This book is a collection of stories and poems based on Sufism and illustrated with Islamic art. The stories particularly gives an inspirational ins you read and then return toight and understanding of the world.
It is the type of book that you read in full and then return to to re read bit by bit to get the full effect of Persian literature. Although this has been recorded as read I intend to continue to read this book again in between other books to fully appreciate the work
It is the type of book that you read in full and then return to to re read bit by bit to get the full effect of Persian literature. Although this has been recorded as read I intend to continue to read this book again in between other books to fully appreciate the work
February 3, 2023
This book is a treasury of wisdom indeed. Given that Rumi wrote it, is there any other possibility?
This book is a breath of fresh air. All the short stories and poems are exceptionally well written and leave the reader feeling reflective and thoughtful. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The illustrations were so mesmerising as well.
This book is a breath of fresh air. All the short stories and poems are exceptionally well written and leave the reader feeling reflective and thoughtful. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The illustrations were so mesmerising as well.
June 12, 2017
Everything you ever wanted to know about Rumi beautifully illustrated. With Rum it's tough to tell what was his genius and what is the western interpretation. Heavy going.
September 26, 2017
I am being harsh with this review....
...but....the book did not flow.
Sorry.
Yes, will likely read another Rumi book.
...but....the book did not flow.
Sorry.
Yes, will likely read another Rumi book.
January 26, 2022
Forever favorite
March 5, 2023
My rating is likely a reflection of my struggle with poetry as a genre. Still trying, however.
November 25, 2024
This was my first real introduction to Rumi. Simple yet profound.
October 14, 2025
The poetry and illustration are amazing, the parables are a little confusing and whatever
September 25, 2025
Poetry, Rumi-nations (I am soooo glad I get to use this pun), explanations and accompanying art work.
Traditional wisdom presented as casual, nightstand reading. Excellent artwork and drawings. It’s a keeper.
Traditional wisdom presented as casual, nightstand reading. Excellent artwork and drawings. It’s a keeper.
January 18, 2021
My soul has nutted, my body cleansed from the burden of my boorish behavior
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews