“Beyond Islam and unbelief there is a desert plain. For us, there is a passion in the midst of that expanse. The knower who reaches there will prostrate, there is neither Islam nor unbelief, nor any 'where' in that place.”

Jalaluddin Rumi was a 13th-century Persian poet and Sufi mystic. His works, including the *Masnavi* and *Diwan-e Shams-e Tabrizi*, blend spiritual insight with vivid imagery, exploring love, divine unity, and human connection. The *Masnavi* remains a cornerstone of Sufi literature, celebrated for its poetic depth and philosophical richness.