Historicizing Influence of Ottoman Mysticism and Mawlana Jalal Al-Din Rumi Through Contemporary Turkish Literature

Mawlana Jalal al-Din Rumi influenced Western societies with his teachings on mysticism and alternative approaches for human predicaments such as war, aggression and clash of civilizations. The 13th century Muslim poet is recognized throughout the world as a philosopher of tasawwuf and multicultural discourse; he is the leader of Sufism and a teacher on non-violence, brotherly love, tolerance and conflict resolution. At times of global conflict such as the 2011 Arab Spring, the Syrian resistance and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Rumi’s modest appeal for open dialogue and human bonding is much sought for. Yet despite his long-standing legacy, Western world still fails to connect Rumi to his historical and political roots in Turkey, where he eventually embraced eternity. Rumi belongs and is squarely centered within the long-established tradition of Ottoman mysticism and Islamic studies, an inspiration to millions of scholars, authors, activists and philosophers around the world from India and Malaysia to the Americas, Middle-East, Europe, Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Turkish author Elif Shafak illustrates how bridges can be built between Muslims and non-Muslims in Forty Rules of Love (A k). The semi-historical novel is a testimony on how Rumi’s Mathnawi and Ottoman mysticism is revered as Islam’s most significant gift to the world.

Source: World Journal of Islamic History and Civilization

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