The prologue of the book is highly engaging, and I found quite a few of the comments to be intriguing. First, the author contends that most Sufi authors produced writings that indicated they believed their faiths could not be expressed through other means. Another thing that got my attention was the assertion that Islam is the most helpful religion for this school of thought compared to other religions. Essentially, it makes sense to claim that the statement alludes to the complicated realities of the modern world, particularly those connected to religion. For instance, it has been said that Islam and Muslim nations are too responsible for condoning terrorism. Generally, the author suggests that individuals should be open to viewing religion from a different angle.
The prologue has various themes, and one of them is leadership and religion. Most of the prologue’s introduction is devoted to the author’s discussion of religion. For example, Attar lists a few Sufi writers, such as Said Kheir, who authors mystic works proclaiming to be the truth of God (Attar, 2019). Although Kheir is regarded as a leader among the novelists and may even be hailed as a ruler, many who object to the way he pronounces his name consider him blasphemous.
Attar (2019) writes, “No soul can grasp You, and the prophets cast / Their lives away to reach to You at last; / If Reason sought You out, it would be far / From ever knowing what You truly are” (p. 7). The passage’s main idea is that the speaker is terrified of being understood and does not want to open up to others about his thoughts, feelings, or soul. Essentially, the narrator wants to fool people into thinking he is someone he is not, even though others have made an effort to come to know the real him.
The tale “The bandit and the bread” depicts a bandit who invites a man to his home and intends to rob and kill him later. Although his principles forbade murder, he doubts the urge to kill the man after his wife offers him some bread. The narrative makes an effort to illustrate various qualities of God and mankind, such as a sinner at God’s mercy. Generally, the nearly slain individual in the metaphor might be considered an impure soul.
Reference
Attar, F. U. (2019). The conference of the birds. Digireads.com Publishing.