• ‘Stories for Young Adults from the Mathnawi’, Jalaluddin Rumi, Translated by Muhammad Nur Abdus Salam

At a time when fast-paced, fantasy scenarios from the likes of Harry Potter and his buddies seems to be ‘the thing’ to read, it is even more important for us to introduce classic Islamic literature to our younger generation; literature that teaches sound moral values while being entertaining at the same time. For this purpose, Rumi’s short stories are refreshing and thought-provoking; his works are relevant and meaningful even today, and this book – part of the Islamic Classics for Young Adults series – is no exception. Though he may have written the Mathnawi in the 13th century, the issues addressed in it are of a timeless nature, as he deals with concerns that are as alive today as they were when he wrote of them.

There are 24 tales in all, adapted from the writings of Rumi, and each one has a lesson to teach. Rumi deals with virtues that we would all do well to practice and adopt, but also highlights vices that we can all relate to and have experienced at one time or another: laziness, miserliness, ignorance, jealousy, avarice, and so on. Each tale is short, but all of them are full of quirky, often eccentric characters. Some stories, such as An Honest, Thorough Job or Luqman’s Gratitude show us the traits of God-fearing, honest people, while others like The Donkey’s Gone and An Unfair Verdict show up the characteristics of fools and simpletons; there are also those that have been inspired by stories in the Quran, such as Escape From Death.

Rumi’s style of writing is to-the-point, simple with a dry humour, and suits the stories that he tells. The stories have been translated reasonably well, and the illustrations by Rose Ghajar Bakhtiar are a real treat.

Though the book is aimed at children in their teens, it can be enjoyed by adults too, and can also be read to younger children. Rumi’s tales really are timeless, and well worth reading.