The Sufi Doctrine of Rumi

A closer look at the Islamic mysticism that influenced Rumi.

Oh, who does not know Rumi? Known for his beautiful poetry on love and the Divine, celebrities and common folk alike have all talked about how a work of Rumi has inspired them in some way. In observing Rumi’s rise from the depths of history to his influence today, one can’t help but notice that most times, Rumi is separated from his identity as a Muslim.

A lot of people in the West tend to think that Rumi flourished as a poet not because of Islam, but in spite of it. As someone who grew up within modern orthodox Islam, I too held the same belief. I could not fathom how Rumi’s mystical writings could have been inspired by the Islam that I am observing in the world.

In reality, Rumi’s beliefs and writings were deeply rooted in his Islamic faith, in fact, he has even alluded to many Qur’anic verses in his poetry. This misunderstanding of Rumi thriving in spite of Islam may arise from a lack of understanding of the Islamic beliefs that inspired Rumi’s work, hence it is important to recognise the role that Islam played in shaping Rumi’s thought and poetry.

The Sufi Doctrine of Rumi

William Chittick’s The Sufi Doctrine of Rumi is an in-depth exploration of the doctrines of the…