From This Side, the Words

Jalal al-Din Muhammad Balkhi, known as Rumi, was born in 604 AH in Balkh and died in 672 AH in Konya. He and his father migrated from Balkh to Konya a few years after his birth, shortly before the Mongol invasion, due to conflicts Baha’uddin had with the royal court. Rumi became the sheikh of Konya and held sermons until the arrival of Shams, who transformed him into a passionate mystic, elevating his spiritual poetry to great heights. Among Rumi’s works are Fihi Ma Fihi, a collection of his discourses; Maktubat, his letters addressing the daily life of his disciples and acquaintances; Majalis Sab’ah, his sermons and exhortations; and Divan-e Shams and Masnavi, which contain profound mystical concepts conveyed through allegory and narrative. Mohammad Najari, in the book “From This Side, the Words,” compiles articles from the Fourth International Conference on Shams and Rumi. These compelling and influential essays help us better understand this mystical poet, grasp his spirituality, and study his works with deeper insight.