by Ibrahim Gamard (8/06)
The popularity of Hazrat-e Mawlânâ Jalâluddîn Muhammad Rûmî’s poetry in America, together with the wide recognition of the name of “Rûmî” is an amazing development. This article examines a key factor that has contributed to this popularization: the false view in many Western books and articles that sufism is something separate from Islam.
THE SUFFERING OF THE WHEAT
“You resent for what is happening to you, and you are getting upset, aren’t you? No matter what has become of you, you have not suffered as much as what the wheat has suffered . Look at the wheat!
They have thrown it as seed to the cold and dark soil.
THE VOICE OF THE FIRE BY RUMI(K.S)
Most people guard against going into the fire
and so end up in it. Those who love the water
of pleasure and make it their devotion
are cheated with this reversal. The trickery goes further.
The voice of the fire tells the truth, saying
I am not fire. I am fountainhead.
Come into me and don’t mind the sparks.
If you are a friend of the presence,
fire is your water.
Totally conscious, and apropos of nothing, you come to see me.
Is someone here? I ask.
The moon. The full moon is inside your house.
THREE QUESTIONS AND AN ANSWER
A group of philisophers came to Rumi (K.S). They stated that they would like to ask some questions. Rumi(K.S) sent them to Shams-Al-Tabrizi then they came to him. Shams al Tabrizi was in the mosque showing the students how to practice tayammum(a form of ablution) by using karpich(sun-dried mud brick). The philosophers coming, stated that they would like to ask three questions.
