The mystic ÝUmar ibn al-FÁrià (1181-1235) is one of the most admired poets not only of sufism, but of classical Arabic literature as well. In his great „Poem of the Way“ (NaÛm as-sulÙk), a spiritual itinerary, he describes in 761 verses his own way to the highest, cosmic stage of unity. By analysing selected texts his way will be traced and his mystical teaching interpreted. close