THE MASNEVI

The epigrams of 'Abd Allah Ansari, succinct and accessible to a wide range of people are in sharp contrast with the poetic genre of Masnevi, which was introduced into Sufism by the Ghaznavid poet Hakim Abu -al-Majd Majdud ibn Adam Sana'i (d. 1131?). The rhyming couplets of the Masnevi had previously been made famous in secular literature by the renowned Persian poet Firdawsi in his Shah-namah (The Epic of the Kings). The general structure of Sana'i's mystical Masnevi, the most famous of which is the Hadiqat al-Haqiq'ah (The Garden of Truth) is imitated by later Sufi authors. The framework consists of mystical teachings interspersed with illustrative fables, anecdotes, proverbs and the like. The different Masnevi vary, however, in length, the quality of their style, and in the organization and development of their themes.

Important as Sana'i's introduction of Masnevi into Sufism was, he is not remembered important as a great stylist. For a true master of Masnevi form we must turn to the Persian poet and spiritual guide, Farid al-Din 'Attar (d.1221?). 'Attar lived most of his life in and around the city of Nishapur, near the modern Iranian city of Mashhad. It appeared that he was killed during the Mongol sack of the city. His name indicates his occupation, that of apothecary, and it appears that he continued in his profession even as he composed his mystical treatises.

Of his Masnevis, the best known is the mystical fable Mantiq al-tayr (The Conference of the Birds). The text operates at a number of levels. On the surface it is a lively fable about a group of birds who decide to seek out their king, the Simurgh, of whom they have the only barest recollections. The far more serious level on which the story operates is that of an elaborate analysis of the Sufi path. Asceticism, illusion and finally union are explored in depth. The overall power of the work is due to its meticulous organizing.

Despite 'Attar's obvious literary and analytical skills, his work is surpassed by the greatest of the Persian mystical poets, Jalal al-Din Rumi (known as Mevlana "our master"). Rumi was born in Balkh in 1207, son of Baha' al-Din Veled, who was himself a noted legist, teacher and spiritual guide. When the Mongol invasion took place his family pilgrimated to Mecca, passing through the city of Nishapur where it is reported that Rumi encountered 'Attar, who predicted Rumi's future greatness. Following his father's footsteps Rumi became well versed in the Islamic religious sciences and philosophical theology. After his father's death Rumi assumed his father's teaching post.

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