New Books in Middle Eastern Studies Omid Safi, “Radical Love: Teachings from the Islamic Mystical Tradition” (Yale UP, 2018)
Aug 24, 2025
Omid Safi, a Professor of Islamic Studies at Duke University, dives into the world of love in Islamic mystical poetry, particularly through the lens of Rumi and Sufism. He discusses the balance of fidelity and accessibility in translating Sufi poetry, and how mentorship shaped his journey from medicine to academia. Safi explores the concept of 'radical love' or 'ishq,' emphasizing its transformative power in spiritual development. He also highlights contemporary Sufi figures and the role of love in community engagement, creating a rich tapestry of understanding for both scholars and enthusiasts.
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Coleman Barks Makes Rumi Widely Accessible
- Coleman Barks reshapes Rumi into contemporary English free verse using literal translations as raw material.
- This approach increases accessibility but often minimizes explicit Islamic references and religious context.
Two-Step Translation Method
- Start with a literal translation, then step back and recast it so the English version stands as a poem on its own.
- Distill redundant metaphors and keep core symbols to maintain poetic power and readability.
Ishq As Radical, Rooted Unity
- Safi distinguishes Quranic hubb (loving-kindness) from Persian ishq, which becomes a radical, boundary-transcending love.
- He reclaims 'radical' to mean returning to the root, framing ishq as unified love that refuses a strict human/God bifurcation.
