What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Masnavi
Jalal al-Din Rumi · Book · 2007
If you loved The Masnavi, start with Maktabah Rabbani — a podcast on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Masnavi across media.
What hooked you in The Masnavi was the way it uses profound storytelling to explore the intersection of human experience and divine mystery.
Films on the same thread
The Message
Moustapha Akkad · Film · 1976
Explores: Religious persecution, Faith, Origins of Islam.
Just as The Masnavi illuminates the spiritual journey through the life of a mystic, this historical epic grounds the origins of faith in a deeply personal human struggle.
Dune: Part Two
Film · 2024
Explores: Revenge, Destiny, Colonialism.
If The Masnavi hit, Dune: Part Two shares the thread.
Aladdin
John Musker · Film · 1992
Explores: Forbidden Love, Social Mobility, Good vs Evil.
The Masnavi teaches through transformative stories and, much like this fairy tale, it uses the pursuit of a goal to reflect deeper truths about social mobility and desire.
The Name of the Rose
Jean-Jacques Annaud · Film · 1986
Explores: Religious Conspiracy, Clash Between Faith and Reason, Suppression of Knowledge.
The Masnavi encourages the transcendence of dogma, a theme mirrored here as a medieval investigator prioritizes the pursuit of truth and reason over rigid institutional authority and suppression.
Series on the same thread
God and Love
Series · 2011
Explores: Interfaith Romance, Clash of Cultures, Family Conflict.
The Masnavi bridges the gap between the worldly and the divine, a sentiment echoed in this drama as characters navigate the complex intersection of faith and romantic love.
Jesus of Nazareth
Franco Zeffirelli · Series · 1977
Explores: Faith, Redemption, Sacrifice.
Like the instructional homilies of The Masnavi, this narrative provides a meditative look at the life and ministry of a spiritual figure to explore the nature of redemption.
Mushi-Shi
Series · 2005
Explores: Spirituality, Nature, Balance.
The Masnavi emphasizes the seeker's journey through the natural world, a concept central to this story where a master helps others find balance and understanding of the unseen.
The Clone
Glória Perez · Series · 2001
Explores: Forbidden Love, Cultural Clash, Identity Crisis.
The Masnavi explores the tension between human longing and higher wisdom, which you will find reflected in this tale of forbidden love spanning different cultures and belief systems.
Podcasts on the same thread
Maktabah Rabbani
Podcast
Explores: religious guidance, character development, moral values.
If you value the didactic wisdom offered in The Masnavi, this podcast continues that tradition by providing direct guidance for character development and living a life of faith.
Ceramah KH Zainudin MZ
Podcast
Explores: Islamic teachings, Morality, Spirituality.
Much like the oral traditions that inspired The Masnavi, these sermons utilize the power of spoken discourse to impart moral values and spiritual guidance to the modern listener.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the primary focus of Book Two of The Masnavi?
Book Two of The Masnavi centers on the various challenges that followers of Sufi enlightenment encounter on their spiritual path. Through a series of interwoven stories and homilies, the text provides instruction for those seeking to follow the teachings of the thirteenth-century mystic Rumi.
Who is the translator of this edition of The Masnavi?
This edition of The Masnavi is translated by Jawid Mojaddedi. His work on this volume follows his prize-winning translation of Book One, offering a new verse translation that aims to capture the essence of Rumi's original teachings for contemporary readers.
Does The Masnavi contain stories or just philosophical lessons?
The Masnavi utilizes a combination of stories and homilies to convey its message. By interweaving these narrative elements, the text effectively instructs followers of Rumi on the complexities of the Sufi path and the obstacles one faces while pursuing enlightenment.
Is The Masnavi considered a guide for Sufi followers?
Yes, The Masnavi is intended to serve as a guide for followers of Rumi. The text specifically addresses the challenges inherent in the pursuit of Sufi enlightenment, using the wisdom of the thirteenth-century mystic to provide practical and spiritual instruction for its readers.