Principles of Sufism

Description

A study of Rumi is imperative for understanding Iqbal’s religious thought. Iqbal was deeply steeped in the Sufi tradition and he chose Rumi as its classical representative. His acceptance of Rumi as Murshid clearly manifest that he was not lured by western science and philosophy. Rather, he maintained an independent critical attitude towards the development of human thought. He appreciated the positive aspects of Western thought and integrated them in the process of reconstructing the religious thought in Islam. He excelled Rumi in certain decisive aspects and this was mainly in response to the challenges of the contemporary world. But his commitment with his guide remained essentially the same. This is the foundation of Dr. Nazir Qaiser’s study of Rumi’s impact on Iqbal’s religious thought. The author has accomplished the present work with commitment, insight and scholarship. His acquaintance with Persian language has given him an authentic understanding of both Rumi and Iqbal. His research work is primarily based on original sources. Though the author discusses the subject in principle, yet he does not hesitate to go in details. The study is divided into four parts. Each part has further sub-divisions. Each section of the study shows analytically the impact of Rumi on Iqbal’s thought. The author has made a commendable effort in knitting the scattered ideas of Rumi spread throughout his works. A comparative study of Rumi and Iqbal has made the former relevant to the contemporary world and the latter rooted in the traditional heritage of Islam.It can be said with confidence that the work is original and shall provide a good example for other works to follow.