The Sufi Path of Love: The Spiritual Teachings of Rumi (Suny Series in Islamic Spirituality)

Apart from Nicholsons translation of the Mathnawi and the works of his students Iqbal (Life and works) and Arberry (who transltated the Fihi Ma Fihi as the 'Discorses of Rumi) All other so called 'translations' are pretty much worthless because 1. They are not translations at all but rather re-writes of Nicholson 2. They are just pandering to an ever growing market of supermarket spirituality. Chitticks translation however, is very different.For a start, Chittick is a scholar in Persian and taught in Iran for several years and had first hand knowledge of not only the Persian Mathnawi but some of the major comentaries in Persian (which may explain why a previous reviewer found many parts of the book similar to Shia text he had read)Chittick may be covering the same ground as Nicholson here but his translation is well put together not only applying modern English but also a knowledge of the original.The book may not be of much use to everyone especially if you have already the Nicholson translation but if you are seeking a book that covers the fundamentals of the teachings of Rumi then there is no better place to start than this book.

The print quality by Amazon is very poor. Much better versions/ original prints available elsewhere.

Highly recommended

Good starting point.

A Naqshbandi friend recommended that I read William Chittick's book, The Sufi Path of Love. I read it and confidently toldmy friend I had done so. My mind was illumined. I felt I had learnt a great deal. And so, I told my friend, I had boughtanother book by William Chittick, The Sufi Path of Knowledge. Alas,I found this book impenetrable, What hubris!