The Masnavi, Book One (Oxford World's Classics) Paperback – October 15, 2008

If you visit Konya, and see Rumi's tomb, with his father and son and other family members buried nearby, in a gorgeously illuminated mauseleum-mosque, with its supernal light and its electric energy of peace and vastness, you see Rumi is no pop-figure but drenched in traditions of Islamic Sufism that brings out its deepest and most original heart, the Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) true teaching... compassion, love, and adherence to God's world above and beyond this one through right action and sincerity, wild daring, discipline and spiritual transformation.Rumi's Masnavi is a true companion on this Path, and Rumi a true indicator of this Path, and for those without Persian, we've relied on the Victorian (though unrhymed and much interpolated) masterpiece of Nicholson (and later revisions by Arberry) and the rather haphazard fragments either "translated" or "rendered" in new, modern versions by contemporary poet-scholars.With this new translation by Jawid Mojaddedi we have a sensational new take on Rumi, whose original (as indicated by its title) is in rhymed couplets (Masnavi means "rhymed couplets"), and which ranges from praise-poetry to stories, both high and low, to long stretches of ecstatic gnostic realization and "revelation" filled with light. This new translation keeps it all, and in a flowing smoothness that is truly remarkable, drenched (as in the original) in remembrance of Allah (the same One God of us all).It's eminently readable, and you feel you're getting closer (by the fidelity and sincerity of the translator, direct from Persian this time!) to Rumi's actual tone and intention.I'm a cheerleader for this translation (and have no qualms calling it this, since it is), it's a sweet gift to us, and attests to Rumi's saintliness after all these centuries. He's reached us in our mire, and now in a voice that sings in poetic tune to lift us from it (from mineral to plant, from plant to animal, from animal to angel)!May our intrepid and courageous translator be given strength and inspiration to continue until all six books of this world treasure, this rare compendium of spiritual truths, are as superbly translated and made available.

I'm fascinated with the wisdom and beauty contained in this book, knowledge that transcends time and space. Truth always overcome darkness and spreads no matter what. The translation on this publication is impeccable. What a different world would be if we study and read this kind of poetry at school, home, workplace.

I am reading the masnavi in the original Persian and comparing it with the translation and find the work done by the translator to be excellent and faithful to the original. Please note: Dari and Farsi are NOT separate languages as falsely stated by one reviewer. The language is called “Parsi ye dari” or courtly Persian and the language has not changed much since Rumi’s time. It is the language of the Iranian courts and ultimately descended from the dialect spoken and written at the Sassanian court. The language that Rumi wrote in is the same Persian as Ferdowsi, Nezami, Saadi and Hafez. It is the common tongue of the greater Iranian world and nothing else which is why we could read these works with such ease so many centuries later.

Superb translation. Preface not as thorough as other translations.A truly marvelous work when read in conjunction with the Qur'an.

This is a highly readable, authentic translation of Rumi's Masnavi, the beloved collection of mystical and metaphysical poems of many Persian speaking people around the globe. It is beautifully rendered into English; but following the original rhyme pattern, it too is written in couplet verses. At times, this effort seems a bit strained. Otherwise, this review would have scored five stars...

I have read this translation side by side with Rumi's original work in Dari. This is the best translation by any standard. Dr. Jawid Mujajidi has done an excellent job to translate Rumi's work in the most precise manner that would reflect the true and poetic meaning each work as well as the true meaning uttered by the poet. Dr. Dick Davis has collaborated with Dr. Mujajidi. Their joint work has produced the best translation of the entire book one with astonishing accuracy.Dr. Jawad is a native Dari speaker from Afghanistan with a Ph.D. in literature, and Dr. Davis is a poet. Rumi came from Afghanistan and wrote in Dari, not Farsi or what is known in the West as "Persian."Most translations of Rumi's poetry and his esoteric ideas have been published by Iranian authors who don't have a deeper understanding of Dari as Rumi's mother tongue. Hence, their works do have mistranslations. There is a distinct difference between Dari and Farsi. The former is the classical Persian and the latter is the modern Persian.It is also refreshing to see the entire work by Rumi is being translated. This will definitely help the reader to grasp Rumi's complex and eloquent metaphysical poems and philosophy.

This was a gift for my Dad. Rumi is a very special and adored poet of our heritage, and we both love him and his work, deep and complex as it may be. The scholars say it takes decades to come to fully appreciate and understand his work. Well, I am looking forward to a deeper understanding for sure but for now, I appreciate it, whether I follow him all the way or not.This is not a book you sit and read through, but rather one you open to any page and read one or two passage from. It seems to be a decent translation of Rumi's poetry from the original language of Farsi.Our favorite one is about the reed ,called The Song of the Reed. It is sad, complex and beautifuly.

5 star for the book but kindle version is poorly made. It ıs not fully compatible with paperwhite. A good translation i think