The Persian Mystics: Jalálu'd-dín Rúmí

TO A. T. K. THIS LITTLE BOOK OF EASTERN WISDOM IS LOVINGLY INSCRIBED
OUR JOURNEY IS TO THE ROSE-GARDEN OF UNION JALÁLU'D-DÍN RÚMÍ.
I desire to thank Mr. R. A. Nicholson for his kind and generous permission to use selections from his Dīvāni Shamsi Tabrīz , and also his publishers, the Cambridge Press. I am deeply indebted to Mr. E. H. Whinfield for allowing me to use quotations from his rendering of the Masnavi (Trübner's Oriental Series). I also cordially thank Mr. John Hastie for giving me permission to quote a few passages from the late Rev. Professor Hastie's Festival of Spring (James Maclehose and Sons, Glasgow). The poems quoted from this volume are entitled: Thy Rose, I saw the Winter weaving, Love sounds the Music of the Spheres, The Souls Love-moved, and The Beloved All in All. All the other translations from the lyrical poetry of Jalálu'd-Dín Rúmí are by Mr. R. A. Nicholson. To these gentlemen, and to those I have left unnamed, I tender my warmest thanks for their help, sympathy, and interest in my attempt to popularise the wisest of the Persian Súfís.
F. HADLAND DAVIS. LONDON, January 22, 1907.
The object of the Editors of this series is a very definite one. They desire above all things that, in their humble way, these books shall be the ambassadors of good-will and understanding between East and West—the old world of Thought and the new of Action. In this endeavour, and in their own sphere, they are but followers of the highest example in the land. They are confident that a deeper knowledge of the great ideals and lofty philosophy of Oriental thought may help to a revival of that true spirit of Charity which neither despises nor fears the nation of another creed and colour.
L. CRANMER-BYNG. S. A. KAPADIA.
NORTHBROOK SOCIETY, 21, CROMWELL ROAD, KENSINGTON, S.W.
Among the Mohammedans Súfíism, or Persian mysticism, is known as tasawwuf . The word Sidi is derived from súf , meaning wool. When a little Persian sect at the end of the eighth century A.D. broke away from the orthodox Muslim religion, and struck out on an independent path, they ignored costly robes and worldly ostentation, and clad themselves in a white wool garment. Hence they were known as wool wearers, or Súfís.