The Masnavi i Ma'navi

The Masnavi i Ma'navi

This is the abridged Whinfield translation of the Masnavi. The Masnavi is an extensive poem by Rumi, the celebrated Persian Sufi saint and poet. It is one of the best known and most influential works of both Sufism and Dari literature. The Masnavi is a series of six books of poetry. It is a spiritual writing that teaches Sufis how to reach their goal of being in true love with God. Book one of the Masnavi must be read in order to understand the other five volumes. It is a poetic art where Rumi layers his writing. For example, he begins a story, then moves on to a story within that story, and again moves to another within that one. Through this composition style, the poet's personal voice comes through to his audience. The Masnavi has no framed plot. Its tone includes a variety of scenes. It includes popular stories from the local bazaar to fables and tales from Rumi's time. It also includes quotations from the Quran and from hadith accounts from the time of Mohammed.