Quranic Teachings Deeply Reflected in Rumi’s Poetry, Scholar Says
Jalal al-Din Rumi (1207–1273), the Persian poet and mystic whose legacy extends across cultures and centuries, remains one of the most widely read poets in the world. His Masnavi-ye Ma’navi is often described as a spiritual commentary on the Quran, a link that scholars continue to highlight.
In a recent conversation with IQNA, Iranian scholar and researcher Karim Zamani underscored this dimension of Rumi’s work. “Rumi has reflected the Quranic teachings very well,” he said. “From divine monotheism to human deeds, their consequences, and other spiritual issues, his writings resonate with Quranic wisdom.”
According to Zamani, who has written a top-selling commentary book on Masnavi, Rumi’s use of stories and parables parallels the Quran’s own method of teaching.
“Even in narrative form, he follows the Quranic approach,” he explained. “Rumi does not tell a story for the sake of storytelling, nor does he use parables merely for amusement. His aim is to guide, to awaken reflection, just as the Quran states: We set forth these parables for mankind so that they may reflect.” (Surah al-Hashr, verse 21)
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Zamani, who has worked extensively on Quranic translation and Rumi studies, emphasized that this integration is part of what has ensured the poet’s enduring influence. “The mirror of Rumi’s life was his sincerity,” he said. “He spoke as he lived, and that is why his words remain powerful.”
Rumi’s writings have long been recognized for blending influences from a wide range of traditions. Zamani noted that traces of Platonic illuminationism, Neoplatonism, Christian Gnosticism, Islamic theology, and the teachings of earlier Persian poets such as Sana’i and Attar are evident.
Yet, he stressed that Rumi’s achievement was not in piecing together fragments of others’ thought. “He digested these inspirations in the depth of his own mystical experiences and mind,” Zamani said. “What emerged was something unique, without resemblance to what came before.”
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“Rumi’s work is not a patchwork of ideas,” he noted. “It is like a rose that takes nourishment from soil, water, and sunlight but gives out a fragrance that is distinctly its own.”
The scholar also reflected on the relevance of Rumi today, saying his universal call to love, compassion, and spirituality is not bound by geography.
“From one perspective, his teachings belong to all humanity, guiding people toward true humanity,” Zamani said. “From another, they are part of our national and cultural heritage, showing that we too have made a remarkable contribution to global culture.”
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