“Every true love and friendship is a story of unexpected transformation. If we are the same person before and after we loved, that means we haven't loved enough.”
— Narrator reflecting on the transformative power of love.
Archivist's Choice
The Forty Rules of Love
Elif Shafak (2010)
Genre
Historical Fiction / Spirituality / Philosophy / Romance
Reading Time
420 min
Key Themes
See below
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A modern woman's stagnant life changes when she reads a manuscript about the mystical, love-filled bond between Rumi and his mentor, Shams of Tabriz, mirroring her own journey to freedom.
Synopsis
Ella Rubenstein, a forty-year-old unhappily married American housewife, begins working as a reader for a literary agent. Her first task is to review 'Sweet Blasphemy,' a manuscript about the 13th-century Sufi mystic Rumi and his friendship with the dervish Shams of Tabriz. As Ella reads, she becomes interested in Shams's 'Forty Rules of Love,' a philosophy focused on unity and love. She starts writing to the author, Aziz Zahara, and finds herself drawn to his views on life and love, which are like Shams's influence on Rumi. Through these two stories, Ella's unchanging life starts to reflect Rumi's path from scholar to mystic. The story of Shams and Rumi shows their strong spiritual connection, the community's dislike, Shams's temporary departure, his return, and his eventual murder. Ella, affected by the old tale and her connection with Aziz, realizes she needs to leave her conventional and unfulfilling life. She decides to leave her husband and start fresh, choosing a life guided by love and spiritual awakening, much like Rumi after Shams.
Reading time
420 min
Difficulty
Medium
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Philosophical, Romantic, Spiritual, Reflective, Lyrical
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy intertwining historical and contemporary narratives, are interested in Sufi mysticism, philosophy, and the transformative power of love, or appreciate a story about self-discovery and breaking free from societal expectations.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer fast-paced thrillers, dislike spiritual or philosophical discourse, or are not interested in stories with a strong romantic and introspective element.
Plot Summary
Ella's Stagnant Life and a New Assignment
Ella Rubenstein is a forty-year-old Jewish-American housewife in Northampton, Massachusetts. Her life feels empty, even with a family and a successful husband, David. She feels distant from David, who is having an affair, though she hasn't mentioned it. To escape her routine, Ella takes a job reading for a literary agency. Her first task is to review 'Sweet Blasphemy' by an unknown author, Aziz Zahara. The novel is a fictional account of the thirteenth-century meeting between the Persian poet Rumi and the dervish, Shams of Tabriz. Ella's initial doubt quickly turns into interest as she reads the story.
Shams's Quest for Rumi and the Forty Rules
The 'Sweet Blasphemy' story begins in 1244, introducing Shams of Tabriz, a wandering dervish. Shams gets a vision telling him to find his spiritual partner, a scholar who will show divine love. He travels from Tabriz, facing hardships, guided by his inner voice and his master, Baba-Zaman. Shams is known for his unusual way of approaching spirituality, challenging religious norms. During his journey, he creates his 'Forty Rules of Love,' which are the main philosophy of his teachings. His final stop is Konya, in present-day Turkey, where he believes he will find Rumi.
The First Encounter and Growing Bond
Shams arrives in Konya and finds Rumi, a respected but traditional Islamic scholar. Their first meeting is dramatic: Shams interrupts Rumi's lecture, asking a question that challenges Rumi's understanding of religion. This immediately interests Rumi, pulling him away from his traditional life. Shams becomes Rumi's spiritual guide, helping him leave his academic life and embrace love and mysticism. Their bond grows quickly, marked by deep talks and mutual understanding. Rumi's family and the townspeople, however, become wary of Shams's influence, as Rumi neglects his duties and spends all his time with the dervish.
Ella's Correspondence with Aziz
As Ella reads 'Sweet Blasphemy,' she is affected by Shams's philosophy and Rumi's change. The story connects with her own feelings of stagnation. She likes the 'Forty Rules of Love,' finding them useful in her own life. Driven by curiosity, Ella emails the author, Aziz Zahara, as the manuscript instructed. Aziz replies, starting a correspondence that becomes personal. Through their emails, Ella shares her struggles, and Aziz shares insights into his book and his own spiritual journey, similar to Shams and Rumi.
Konya's Growing Resentment and Shams's Departure
The strong bond between Shams and Rumi separates Rumi from his family, students, and the conservative community of Konya. Rumi's wife, Kerra, and his son, Alaeddin, dislike Shams, feeling he has charmed Rumi and broken up their family. The town's religious scholars and people see Shams as a dangerous heretic, fearing his teachings and Rumi's change. The hostility grows, making Konya difficult for Shams. Feeling his presence harms Rumi, and perhaps to test Rumi's new spiritual strength, Shams disappears from Konya, leaving Rumi heartbroken.
Rumi's Despair and Search for Shams
Shams's disappearance makes Rumi deeply sad. He is inconsolable, not eating or sleeping, his joy replaced by grief. His family, at first relieved, becomes worried by Rumi's decline. Rumi sends his son, Sultan Veled, and others to find Shams, eventually hearing he might be in Damascus. Rumi's longing and pain become the source of his most profound poems. His grief turns into mystical verse, forming his Divan and Masnavi, as he channels his longing for Shams into a quest for the Divine Beloved.
Shams's Return and Renewed Conflict
Through Sultan Veled's efforts, Shams is found in Damascus and convinced to return to Konya. Rumi is happy, and their spiritual connection becomes stronger. However, the community's dislike has grown. Shams, aware of the dangers, tries to teach Rumi about detachment and that physical presence is temporary. The townspeople, especially Alaeddin, who deeply dislikes Shams, continue to plot against him. Shams, knowing his time is short and his mission ending, prepares for his final departure, understanding that his absence will allow Rumi's spiritual light to shine alone.
The Tragic End of Shams
The hostility towards Shams reaches its end. One night, Shams is led out of Rumi's house by plotters, including Rumi's son, Alaeddin, and others who dislike his influence. Shams is murdered and his body is hidden, the exact details becoming a legend. His death is a sacrifice, meant to fully awaken Rumi's spiritual potential and ensure his legacy of love and poetry. Rumi is again devastated, but this time, his grief becomes a deeper spiritual awakening, making him the 'Sun' (Shams) of mystical poetry, forever remembering his companion through his verses and the tradition of the whirling dervishes.
Ella's Awakening and Decision
At the same time as the 13th-century story, Ella's emails with Aziz Zahara become more intense. She finds herself falling in love with Aziz, who, like Shams, encourages her to break free from her limits. The 'Forty Rules of Love' guide her, helping her embrace change and face her fears. She finally talks to David about his infidelity and their empty marriage. Realizing she cannot live without passion, Ella decides to leave her husband and her comfortable, but restrictive, suburban life. She plans to meet Aziz, driven by new courage and a desire to follow her own spiritual path, much like Rumi after Shams's departure.
A New Beginning in Konya
Ella travels to Konya, where Rumi and Shams's story happened. She finally meets Aziz Zahara, finding he has a terminal illness. Despite this, Ella feels a strong connection with him, one that goes beyond physical limits and mirrors Rumi and Shams's spiritual bond. She decides to stay with Aziz in Konya, caring for him in his final days. This decision shows Ella's complete change; she has found her own path to love, meaning, and self-discovery, embracing life's uncertainties, much like the message in the 'Forty Rules of Love.' She finds peace in her new life, having broken free from her past.
Principal Figures
Ella Rubenstein
The Protagonist
Ella transforms from a passive, unfulfilled housewife into an empowered woman who embraces love, spiritual freedom, and an authentic life, leaving her old world behind.
Shams of Tabriz
The Major Character (13th Century)
Shams fulfills his divine mission to transform Rumi into a mystic and poet of love, ultimately sacrificing his life to ensure Rumi's spiritual legacy.
Rumi (Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi)
The Major Character (13th Century)
Rumi transforms from a conventional scholar into one of the world's most beloved mystical poets, his grief and longing for Shams becoming the wellspring of his divine poetry.
Aziz Zahara
The Supporting Character (Contemporary)
Aziz serves as Ella's spiritual guide and love interest, embodying the transformative power of love and wisdom despite his own mortality.
Kerra (Rumi's Wife)
The Supporting Character (13th Century)
Kerra initially resists Shams's influence and Rumi's transformation, but ultimately accepts Rumi's spiritual path, albeit with lingering sorrow.
Sultan Veled
The Supporting Character (13th Century)
Sultan Veled moves from initial skepticism to becoming a devoted disciple of both Shams and Rumi, ultimately preserving Rumi's spiritual legacy.
Alaeddin
The Supporting Character (13th Century)
Alaeddin's jealousy and hatred for Shams lead him to participate in Shams's murder, a decision that haunts him and his family.
Desert Rose
The Supporting Character (13th Century)
Desert Rose finds spiritual solace and acceptance through Shams's teachings, despite her societal marginalization.
Kimya
The Supporting Character (13th Century)
Kimya's love for Shams leads her to marry him, but her mortal longing struggles against his divine mission, leading to a poignant, unfulfilled love.
Themes & Insights
Love as a Transformative Force
The novel's main theme is love's power, both human and divine. Shams's 'Forty Rules of Love' say that love is essential to existence and a way to spiritual awakening. This is clear in Rumi's change from scholar to mystic and poet after meeting Shams. His love for Shams represents his love for the Divine. In the modern story, Ella's love for Aziz and her use of Shams's rules cause her own personal change, leading her to leave her marriage and seek an authentic life. Love is shown as a spiritual practice and a force that removes barriers.
“How can there be a love that is not divine? Every love, every heartbeat, every breath, every glance, every touch, every kiss, every longing, every tear, every smile, every word, every silence, every moment, every being, every thing, every cell, every molecule, every atom, is a love that is divine.”
Identity and Self-Discovery
Ella and Rumi both go through journeys of self-discovery. Ella, initially defined by her roles, feels unfulfilled and questions who she is. By reading 'Sweet Blasphemy' and writing to Aziz, she starts to shed expectations and embrace her true self, making big choices for her own happiness. Rumi also redefines his identity. He goes from a celebrated scholar bound by tradition to a dervish and poet, guided by his heart and Shams's teachings. Their journeys show the courage needed to leave a comfortable but inauthentic life for one's true calling.
“Every true love and friendship is a story of unexpected transformation. If we are the same person before and after we loved, that means we haven't loved enough.”
The Nature of Spirituality and Religion
The novel explores spirituality beyond strict religious rules, suggesting a more inclusive, heart-centered approach. Shams of Tabriz often challenges traditional interpretations of Islam and religious law, stressing the unity of all religions and inner faith over outward rituals. He provokes those who hold onto superficial religion, urging them to find the divine within. This is clear in Rumi's shift from a traditional cleric to a mystic who uses music, dance, and poetry to worship. The book suggests that true spirituality goes beyond institutions and is found in universal love and compassion.
“God is a meticulous accountant. He registers every deed, every word, every thought....So don't worry. Not a single deed, not a single word, not a single thought will be overlooked.”
The Mentor-Disciple Relationship
A main dynamic in both stories is how a spiritual mentor affects a student. Shams of Tabriz guides Rumi, pushing him beyond his intellectual understanding to experience divine love directly. Their intense, unusual bond helps Rumi change. Similarly, Aziz Zahara, through his novel and emails, mentors Ella, inspiring her to question her life and start her own self-discovery. This relationship shows that true guidance often comes from unexpected places and involves challenging norms, leading to personal and spiritual growth.
“The path to Truth is a labor of the heart, not of the head. Make your heart your primary guide! Not your mind. Meet, challenge and ultimately prevail over your nafs (ego) with your heart. To know your Nafs is to know your God.”
Destiny and Free Will
The novel often deals with destiny (kismet) and free will. Shams believes he is divinely guided to find Rumi, fulfilling a predetermined spiritual destiny. Yet, he also says individual choice is important in accepting or rejecting that path. Ella's journey also explores this: she feels a fated connection to Aziz and Rumi's story, but her decision to leave her life and travel to Konya is an act of free will. The book suggests that while some events might be fated, our choices and reactions to them shape our spiritual journey and personal growth.
“Whatever you do in life, make sure you do it with all your heart. Don't be afraid of anything you might lose if you follow your heart. If you're afraid, that means you're not living fully.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
Dual Narrative / Parallel Timelines
Two stories, one contemporary and one historical, unfold simultaneously and mirror each other.
The novel employs a dual narrative structure, alternating between Ella Rubenstein's modern-day story in Northampton and the 13th-century tale of Rumi and Shams of Tabriz. This device allows Shafak to draw powerful parallels between the characters' spiritual journeys and the themes of love and transformation across different eras. The historical narrative of 'Sweet Blasphemy' acts as a catalyst for Ella's contemporary awakening, demonstrating the timeless relevance of Shams's teachings. The alternating chapters create suspense and allow readers to see the direct impact of the past on the present.
The Forty Rules of Love
A collection of spiritual principles guiding Shams and inspiring Ella.
The 'Forty Rules of Love' are a central literary and philosophical device. These rules, attributed to Shams of Tabriz, are interspersed throughout the novel, each offering a profound insight into Sufi philosophy, love, and spiritual living. They serve as a moral and spiritual compass for Shams, a guide for Rumi's transformation, and a source of inspiration and challenge for Ella. Each rule encapsulates a key theme, such as the nature of God, the importance of the heart, the illusion of self, and the unity of all beings. They are both a plot element and a thematic summary, driving character action and providing spiritual commentary.
The Manuscript ('Sweet Blasphemy')
A novel-within-a-novel that acts as a catalyst for the protagonist's transformation.
The manuscript 'Sweet Blasphemy' is a crucial plot device. It is the narrative that Ella is assigned to read, and it contains the entire 13th-century story of Rumi and Shams. This 'book within a book' serves as the primary mechanism through which Ella's transformation begins. It introduces her to the 'Forty Rules of Love' and the profound spiritual journey of Rumi, directly mirroring her own nascent desires for change and deeper meaning. The manuscript is not just a story; it's a living text that impacts the reader (Ella) and, by extension, the external reader of 'The Forty Rules of Love'.
Symbolism of Names (Rumi/Shams)
Character names carrying symbolic meaning related to light and spirituality.
The names of the central 13th-century characters hold significant symbolic weight. 'Shams' means 'Sun' in Arabic, symbolizing the radiant, illuminating force that awakens Rumi's spiritual potential. 'Rumi' means 'of Rome' or 'Anatolian,' indicating his earthly origin, but through Shams, he becomes the vessel for the divine 'Sun.' This symbolism underscores their profound connection and Shams's role as the catalyst for Rumi's enlightenment. Rumi, after Shams's death, often signed his poems 'Shams,' indicating that he had fully absorbed and embodied the sun's light, becoming Shams himself.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“The quest for love changes us. There is no seeker among those who search for love who has not matured on the way.”
— Rumi's teachings as conveyed through the story.
“Patience does not mean to passively endure. It means to be farsighted enough to trust the end result of a process.”
— One of Shams of Tabriz's rules to Rumi.
“Fret not where the road will take you. Instead concentrate on the first step. That is the hardest part and that is what you are responsible for.”
— Advice given during a spiritual discussion.
“The universe is one being. Everything and everyone is interconnected through an invisible web of stories.”
— Narrative insight into the book's philosophical theme.
“How we see God is a direct reflection of how we see ourselves. If God brings to mind mostly fear and blame, it means there is too much fear and blame welled inside us.”
— Shams explaining a spiritual rule to Rumi.
“Intellect and love are made of different materials. Intellect ties people in knots and risks nothing, but love dissolves all tangles and risks everything.”
— Contrasting intellect and love in a dialogue.
“East, west, south, or north makes little difference. No matter what your destination, just be sure to make every journey a journey within. If you travel within, you'll travel the whole wide world and beyond.”
— Part of Shams' guidance on spiritual journeys.
“Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead let life live through you. And do not worry that your life is turning upside down. How do you know that the side you are used to is better than the one to come?”
— A rule about embracing change and uncertainty.
“Whatever happens in your life, no matter how troubling things might seem, do not enter the neighborhood of despair. Even when all doors remain closed, God will open up a new path only for you.”
— Encouragement during a moment of hardship.
“Loneliness and solitude are two different things. When you are lonely, it is easy to delude yourself into believing that you are on the right path. Solitude is better for us, as it means being alone without feeling lonely.”
— Reflection on the nature of being alone.
“The path to the Truth is a labor of the heart, not of the head. Make your heart your primary guide! Not your mind. Meet, challenge and ultimately prevail over your nafs with your heart.”
— Spiritual advice emphasizing heart over mind.
“Where there is a wound in the soul, there will be a scar upon the sacred texts.”
— Metaphorical insight into personal and spiritual pain.
“Real filth is the one inside. The rest simply washes off. There is only one type of dirt that cannot be cleansed with pure waters, and that is the stain of hatred and bigotry contaminating the soul.”
— Discussion on inner purity versus external cleanliness.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
The novel interweaves two parallel narratives: a contemporary story about Ella Rubenstein, a 40-year-old unhappily married woman who reads a manuscript called 'Sweet Blasphemy,' and a 13th-century historical story about Shams of Tabriz's spiritual mentorship of Rumi. Through Shams' forty rules of love, both Ella and Rumi undergo profound transformations, discovering love's unifying power across time and personal circumstances.
About the author
Biography coming soon.
