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Kabir's translations of Sufi poetry, in particular Rumi’s poetry, have been made available in a number of books. In recognition of his contribution to the understanding and appreciation of Rumi’s poetry, in 1996 he received an honorary Ph.D. in literature from Selçuk University in Konya, Turkey, and his translations have been lauded  as being uncommonly faithful to the original Persian, yet in contemporary, poetic English. Seyyed Hossein Nasr (Internationally honored author, Professor of Islamic Studies, George Washington University), commented on the Rumi collection Love’s Ripening, “[The] central message of Rumi, that incomparable troubadour of love, is reflected with great care, devotion, authenticity, and yes, love in this book. There are now many translations of Rumi's poems in English, of various qualities. And yet, deposit all works in print on this subject, and it is certain that this book will stand out among them."

 

Helminski’s translations of Rumi’s poetry include the following volumes (some of which are collaborations with his wife, Camille):

 

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The Pocket Rumi (translated with Camille Helminski, Shambhala, 2008)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love’s Ripening: Rumi on the Heart’s Journey (translated with Ahmad Rezwani,  Shambhala, 2008)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Rumi Daybook: 365 Poems and Teachings from the Beloved Sufi Master (translated with Camille Helminski, Shambhala, 2011)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Rumi Collection, edited by Kabir Helminski. A selection from various translators, including selections from Rumi's Discourses.

 

Love is a Stranger, Selected Lyric Poetry of Jalaluddin Rumi (Threshold & Shambhala, 1992)

 

Ruins of the Heart, Selected Lyric Poetry of Jalaluddin Rumi (Threshold, 1980)

 

Rumi: Daylight (translated with Camille Helminski, Shambhala, 2000)

 

Jewels of Remembrance: 365 Selections from the Wisdom of Rumi (translated with Camille Helminski, Shambhala, 2000)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In partnership with Refik Algan, Helminski has also translated a collection of poetry by the 13th century Turkish poet Yunus Emre entitled The Drop that Became the Sea (Shambhala 1999).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In collaboration with Camille Helminski, Mahmoud Mostafa, and Ibrahim Shihabi, he translated two collections of poetry by contemporary Syrian poet Asad Ali, entitled Happiness Without Death: Desert Hymns (Threshold Books, 1991) and Civilization of Paradise: Revelation Poems (Fons Vitae, 2014).

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