If you enjoy reading books by Rumi then you might also like the following authors:
If you enjoy Rumi, Hafiz will speak directly to your heart. Hafiz was a Persian poet known for his passionate style full of joy, love, and spiritual insight. His vivid imagery captures the beauty of ordinary life and spiritual revelation.
A great starting point to experience his poetry is the collection titled The Gift, translated by Daniel Ladinsky, which showcases Hafiz's joyful and mystical voice.
Khalil Gibran wrote in a simple but profound style about the complexities of human emotions, relationships, and spiritual growth. Like Rumi, he wanted to reach the hearts of his readers through warmth, wisdom, and an understanding of life's cycles.
His most popular book, The Prophet, beautifully explores topics like love, friendship, joy, and sorrow with clarity and gentle wisdom.
Omar Khayyam was an insightful Persian poet who examined life and human condition with sharp honesty and intense curiosity. His work often reflects themes of fleeting pleasures, love, mortality, and a search for meaning beyond ordinary existence, similar to Rumi's approach.
The famous collection Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, translated by Edward FitzGerald, offers readers an enjoyable and thoughtful exploration of life's greatest mysteries.
Kabir was a 15th-century Indian mystic poet whose poetry speaks powerfully on spirituality, simplicity, and the inner journey. His style is direct, filled with sincerity, humor, and practical wisdom.
Like Rumi, Kabir challenges readers to see beyond labels, religions, and superficial appearances. The collection Songs of Kabir, translated by Rabindranath Tagore, contains accessible verses that encourage contemplation and self-reflection.
Rabindranath Tagore, a Bengali poet who won the Nobel Prize, wrote deeply spiritual and lyrical verses exploring love, nature, and the human longing for the divine—much like Rumi did centuries before.
His poems have the grace and intensity of devotional expressions, capturing both personal emotions and universal truths. His famous collection Gitanjali offers profound insights into spirituality and life's mysteries.
Attar of Nishapur is a Persian poet and mystic best known for stories full of symbolism and spiritual insight. His masterpiece, The Conference of the Birds, is a poetic parable that explores themes of journey, enlightenment, and the search for ultimate truth.
If you enjoy Rumi's exploration of mystical themes through storytelling, Attar's work will resonate with you.
Saadi Shirazi is a Persian poet celebrated for his wisdom, morality, and gentle humor. His engaging poems blend spiritual insights with practical advice on everyday life.
His famous work, Gulistan (The Rose Garden), offers short, insightful stories on human behavior, ethics, and compassion. Saadi strikes a perfect balance between profound spirituality and worldly wisdom, similar to the approachable depth found in Rumi's poetry.
Yunus Emre, a Turkish poet and mystic, expresses divine love in simple yet heartfelt language. His poetry emphasizes universal values like compassion, humility, and unity.
In his collection, The Drop That Became the Sea, Yunus Emre presents spiritual insight through accessible, clear verse. His passionate messages of love and spiritual unity will appeal directly to fans of Rumi.
Ibn Arabi, an Andalusian mystic philosopher and poet, explores profound spiritual themes and metaphysical concepts in his works.
Known for discussing the unity of all existence and divine love, his most famous work The Bezels of Wisdom (Fusus al-Hikam) navigates spiritual realities and mystical experiences.
Readers who appreciate Rumi's mystical depth and philosophical reflections may find Ibn Arabi captivating and inspiring.
Shams-i Tabrizi, the spiritual mentor who greatly influenced Rumi, wrote poems and teachings filled with passion and spiritual intensity.
His teachings compiled in Maqalat-e Shams-e Tabrizi (The Discourses of Shams of Tabriz) explore deep themes of love, enlightenment, and mystical union.
If you appreciate the deeply personal and fiery spirituality present in Rumi's poetry, discovering Shams' writings and ideas may offer profound new insights.
Coleman Barks is known for translating Rumi's poetry into accessible, heartfelt English. His versions capture the spiritual wisdom and emotional depth of Rumi, helping contemporary readers connect deeply with the ancient poet's messages.
A notable collection to explore is The Essential Rumi, where Barks presents Rumi's poems clearly and beautifully.
Mary Oliver's poetry celebrates the quiet beauty and simplicity of nature. Her thoughtful, gentle verses encourage mindfulness and appreciation of the present moment.
If you enjoy the contemplative and spiritual aspects of Rumi, you'll appreciate Oliver's collection Devotions, filled with poems inviting readers to observe life's small miracles.
John O'Donohue blends Celtic spirituality, philosophy, and poetic reflections in his writings. His words invite readers to reconnect with their souls, offering comfort and inspiration about life's beauty and mystery.
For those drawn to Rumi's spiritual depth, O'Donohue's Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom is a meaningful and inspiring read.
David Whyte crafts poems and essays about life's important questions and our deepest human longings. His clear, insightful writing explores themes of personal transformation, identity, and finding meaning in life.
Readers who find resonance in Rumi's explorations of self and spirituality will appreciate Whyte's book The Heart Aroused: Poetry and the Preservation of the Soul in Corporate America.
Lao Tzu, an ancient Chinese philosopher, offers profound teachings on simplicity, harmony, and spiritual wisdom in clear and thought-provoking language. His classic work, the Tao Te Ching, shares poetic insights into living a balanced life.
If you are moved by Rumi’s timeless wisdom, Lao Tzu's reflections and spiritual guidance will also speak deeply to your heart.