Forty rules of love: A Book review

 Forty Rules of Love.

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.

– Elif Shafak, The Forty Rules of Love

Forty Rules of Love is a novel written by the Turkish woman writer Elif Shafak. She portrayed two stories, one based on the present time in the US and the other portrayed in the 13th century in Konya.

The story follows an unhappily married woman Ella Rubestine, a forty years old housewife who embarks on a journey of self-discovery, The other part narrates the character of Shams of Tabriz a Sufi dervish who preaches the ways of love and spirituality. through their stories Elif Shafak explores 40 rules, offering life-leading pieces of advice and lessons. the leads to a deep understanding of love and spirituality.

Some thought-provoking lines:

The number forty in mystic thought symbolizes the ascent from one level to a higher one and spiritual awakening.

When we mourn, we mourn for forty days, 

When a baby is born it takes forty days for him to get ready to start life on Earth, 

When we are in love we need to wait for forty days to be sure of our feelings.

The flood of Hazrat Noah A. S lasted for forty days, 

Jesus went into the wilderness for forty days and nights. 

Hazrat Younis A. S  remained in the belly of a fish for forty days. 

Hazrat Muhammad PBUH received a call to become a prophet at the age of forty. 

Buddha meditated under a Linden tree for forty days. 

In Islamic mysticism, there are forty degrees between man and God. 

Forty number is very unique in every aspect. 

And here comes forty rules of love.