“THE FORTY RULES OF LOVE”
OPPOSITION :
The best book of Elif Shafak which indicates opposites;
Discipline vs. spontaneity, reason vs. love, perspective vs. acceptance, wisdom vs. youth and foundation
vs. risk. Although the book argues strongly in favor of love, spontaneity, and acceptance, it is actually the
balance created between the two extremes that is more important ( this balance is often represented as
the friendship of two people who represent opposite attributes).
ESSENCE OF BOOK :
Moreover, each chapter begins with the letter “B”. For Sufi Mystics the secret of the Koran lies in the
verse of AL FATIHA, the essence of which is contained in this (In the name of God, the benevolent and
merciful), with the quintessence of the word in the dot below the Arabic letter, a dot that embodies the
universe.
However, what I particularly appreciate about this book is the honest and direct treatment of that place
and the deep confusion and the pain it can bring to the seeker and those who close to them. And of
course, the beauty and wisdom that comes from different experiences had shames not challenged every
aspect of social order Rumi held dear, Rumi would not have learned. Had Rumi not lost Shams, he
would not have become a poet, and we would not have his poetry.
EVOLUTIONARY STEPS:
This book is a celebration of the radical transformation of Rumi from scholar to poet, from devoted spiritual
to visionary and a deeply honest. I can not vouch for, but truthful Yes, the portrayal of every difficult step in
that evolution.