Want to teach some Sufi poetry but don’t know where to start? Try this teacher’s guide. Based on our research and materials compiled from experts in the field, this teacher’s guide serves as a concise and accessible summary and companion to our podcast series, “The Logic of the Birds.” Designed specifically for educators, this teacher’s guide contains suggested classroom activities and assignments, English translations of poems, Youtube links to performances of poems, and more. We hope that this guide will be a valuable resource for teachers in secondary and undergraduate-level courses about Islam, Religion, Literature, Poetry, and History.

Rather than adhering to the conventional separation between the literary and theological dimensions often found in academic approaches to Sufi poetry, our guide takes a holistic approach. We envision educators using it to encourage students to not only engage with Sufi poetry through memorization, recitation, and composition but also to infuse more “poetic” strategies into their teaching methods. This shift aims to foster a sense of awe and wonder in the learning experience while exploring diverse ways of synthesizing knowledge poetically.

Anticipating its integration into syllabi and classroom activities, our podcast series and teaching guide seek to transform the typical perception of Sufi poetry – often regarded as beautiful, yet irrational and ecstatic expressions. By delving deeper into its noetic and literary dimensions and their interconnectedness, we aspire to reshape the way Sufi poetry is taught.

Beyond the classroom, we anticipate that both students and the general public will gain a profound appreciation for the intellectual intricacies and literary craft of Sufi poetry. The guide, like the podcast, looks at the significance of elements such as meter, rhyme, and literary form alongside Sufi philosophies and practices and the ways in which these interact. 

We are excited to offer this guide as a free downloadable resource, inviting educators, students, and enthusiasts to explore the multifaceted world of Sufi poetry.

Coming in 2024.