A. J. Arberry Books

A rich introduction to the work of Rumi by the foremost scholar on the great mystical poet, featuring leading literary translations of his verse by Coleman Barks, Robert Bly, Andrew Harvey, Kabir Helminski, Camille Helminski, Daniel Liebert, and Peter Lamborn Wilson. Rumi's poems are beloved for their touching perceptions of humanity and the Divine. To display the major themes of Rumi's work, each of the eighteen chapters in this anthology are arranged topically, such as "The Inner Work," "The Ego Animal," "Passion for God," "Praise," and "Purity," uncovering a deep and timeless understanding of Sufism and mysticism. Also included is a biography of Rumi by Andrew Harvey and an introductory essay by Kabir Helminski on the art of translating Rumi's work into English. "The Spiritual Surgeon" Can the water of a polluted stream Wash away the dirt? Can human knowledge sweep away The ignorance of the sensual self? How does a sword fashion its own hilt? Go, entrust your wound to a surgeon, For flies will gather around the wound Until it can’t be seen. These are your selfish thoughts And all you dream of owning. The wound is your own dark hole. Mathnawi I, 3221–3224 (translated by Kabir Helminski and Camille Helminski)

The Love Poems of Rumi is a beautiful and elegantly illustrated gift book of Rumis poems translated by Nader Khalili, geared for readers searching for inspirational themes and messages about love.

Originally published in 1965, this is an introductory book for university students of Arabic literature. Beginning with a substantial introduction on development, nature, forms and rhythms, the main body of the book is an anthology of Arabic poems in the original, from the sixth century onwards.

This book is an excellent introduction to classical Persian poetry for English-speaking readers. As stated in its preface, "This little book ... is a landmark in the interpretation of Persian literature, containing as it does the first English verse translation of a Persian poem." Many of these translations were completed in the late 19th century by noted scholars of both languages; for that reason alone, it is a valuable piece of history and a valuable memento of the sense of wonder and adventure with which Western scholars once approached the East. The poets featured here include Rumi, Sa'di, Hafez, Rudaki, Khosrow, Ferdowsi, Nizami, Shahriyar, and others. Also features Persian miniature illustrations.

This unique book is an exciting global journey into the origins, technologies, and recipes of ancient beer as well as into beer's continued importance today in diet, ritual, and economics.

Exploring the mystical dimension of Islam, this comprehensive guide delves into the core teachings, practices, and terminology of Sufism. Translated by Arthur John Arberry, it presents an insightful journey into the essence of Sufism as articulated by Abu Bakr al-Kalabadhi, highlighting the unique aspects of this spiritual path.

Even in conversation Rumi expresses his spiritual insights in a style rich in allusion and figurative language, and often illustrated by skillful storytelling. His themes include God's beauty and beneficence as expressed through the good things of the earth; the continuum between form and substance; the here and the hereafter; the melting of individuality in the reality of God's oneness; and the centrality of love in the soul's development.