Make A Shield From Wisdom: Selected Verses from Nasir-i Khusraw's Divan

Make A Shield From Wisdom presents selected poetry from the Divan of Nasir-i Khusraw, an 11th century Persian philosopher-poet. The verses have been translated and curated by renowned Islamic studies scholar Annemarie Schimmel, who brings these medieval Persian works to English-speaking readers. The collection focuses on Nasir-i Khusraw's spiritual and philosophical verses, showcasing his role as both a religious thinker and literary figure in the Ismaili Muslim tradition. Each poem is presented in a dual-language format with the original Persian alongside Schimmel's English translations. Schimmel provides context through her introduction and notes, placing the works within their historical and cultural framework of medieval Persian literature and Islamic thought. The translations maintain the formal structures and metaphorical elements characteristic of classical Persian poetry. The verses explore universal themes of spiritual seeking, divine wisdom, and the relationship between reason and faith in medieval Islamic philosophy. This collection represents an important bridge between classical Persian religious poetry and contemporary readers interested in Sufi and Ismaili traditions.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Annemarie Schimmel's overall work: Readers consistently praise Schimmel's ability to explain complex Islamic concepts to Western audiences without oversimplifying the material. Many note her unique combination of scholarly precision and genuine spiritual appreciation. What readers liked: - Deep knowledge of primary sources and languages - Clear explanations of Sufi concepts and practices - Respectful treatment of Islamic traditions - Extensive references and footnotes for further study What readers disliked: - Dense academic writing style - Assumes prior knowledge of Islamic terms - Some translations criticized as too literal - Limited accessibility for general readers Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - "Mystical Dimensions of Islam": 4.3/5 (500+ ratings) - "And Muhammad Is His Messenger": 4.4/5 (200+ ratings) Amazon: - Most books average 4.5/5 stars - Readers frequently mention her work as reference material for Islamic studies One reader noted: "Her command of sources and languages is unmatched, but you need patience to work through the academic prose." Another commented: "The footnotes alone are worth the price of admission."

The Conference of the Birds by Farid ud-Din Attar This Persian Sufi poem follows the journey of birds seeking divine truth through allegorical passages and spiritual wisdom.

The Essential Rumi by Coleman Barks These translations of Rumi's mystical poetry explore themes of divine love, spiritual awakening, and human consciousness.

The Gift: Poems by Hafiz by Daniel Ladinsky These Persian verses express spiritual truths through metaphors of wine, love, and nature.

The Garden of Truth by Seyyed Hossein Nasr This work examines Sufi poetry and philosophy through classical Persian texts and metaphysical teachings.

The Spiritual Teachings of Rumi by Leslie Wines This collection presents Rumi's poetry with historical context and explanations of Sufi mystical concepts.

🔹 Nasir-i Khusraw was an 11th-century Persian poet and philosopher who traveled extensively throughout the Islamic world, documenting his journeys in works that combine spiritual wisdom with vivid travelogue details. 🔹 Annemarie Schimmel, the translator and compiler, was a renowned German scholar who mastered over 50 languages and wrote more than 100 books on Islamic literature, mysticism, and culture. 🔹 The title "Make A Shield From Wisdom" reflects the Ismaili Muslim belief that spiritual knowledge serves as protection against ignorance and adversity - a central theme in Khusraw's poetry. 🔹 The Divan (collection of poems) from which these verses are selected was written during Khusraw's exile in Badakhshan, where he spent the last 15 years of his life after being persecuted for his religious beliefs. 🔹 The book presents a rare English translation of works from one of the earliest Persian poets to write in the philosophical-didactic style that would later influence giants of Persian poetry like Rumi and Attar.