Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi, commonly known as Rumi, was a 13th-century Persian poet, Islamic scholar, and Sufi mystic whose profound wisdom and poetry continue to inspire people worldwide. Born on September 30, 1207, in Balkh Province, Afghanistan, Rumi’s early life was marked by extensive travels due to the Mongol invasions, eventually leading his family to settle in Konya, in present-day Turkey.
Rumi’s father, Bah?? al-D?n Walad, was a respected theologian and mystic. Under his father’s guidance, Rumi began his spiritual education. After his father’s death, Rumi continued his studies under his father’s disciple, Sayyed Burhan ud-Din Muhaqqiq Termazi, delving deep into Islamic jurisprudence and Sufi practices. By the age of 25, Rumi had established himself as a respected Islamic jurist and scholar in Konya.
A turning point in Rumi’s life came on November 15, 1244, when he met the wandering dervish Shams-e Tabrizi. This profound friendship transformed Rumi from a conventional scholar to a passionate mystic, leading him to compose numerous lyrical poems expressing his spiritual journey and deep connection with Shams. Their bond was so intense that, following Shams’ mysterious disappearance in 1248, Rumi’s grief gave birth to the “Divan-e Shams-e Tabrizi,” a collection of poems dedicated to his beloved friend.
Rumi’s most famous work, the “Masnavi-ye Ma’navi” (Spiritual Couplets), is a six-volume epic that delves into Sufi teachings, ethics, and metaphysics. This work has been instrumental in shaping Islamic mysticism and is often referred to as the “Quran in Persian.” His poetry emphasizes themes of love, unity, and the pursuit of divine truth, encapsulated in quotes like, “Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.”
Here are five of Rumi’s notable poems:
“The Song of the Reed”
Listen to the reed and the tale it tells,
How it sings of separation…
Since I was cut from the reed bed,
I have made this crying sound.
Anyone apart from someone he loves
Understands what I say.
Anyone pulled from a source
Longs to go back.
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
Some momentary awareness comes
As an unexpected visitor…
Be grateful for whoever comes,
Because each has been sent
As a guide from beyond.
“A Moment of Happiness”
A moment of happiness, you and I sitting on the verandah,
Apparently two, but one in soul, you and I…
We feel the flowing water of life here, you and I,
With the garden’s beauty and the birds singing.
“All Through Eternity”
All through eternity
Beauty unveils His exquisite form
In the solitude of nothingness;
He holds a mirror to His Face
And beholds His own beauty.
He is the knower and the known,
The seer and the seen;
No eye but His own
Has ever looked upon this Universe.
“The Minute I Heard My First Love Story”
The minute I heard my first love story,
I started looking for you, not knowing
How blind that was.
Lovers don’t finally meet somewhere.
They’re in each other all along.
Rumi’s teachings gave rise to the Mevlevi Order, also known as the Whirling Dervishes, who use music and dance as a form of spiritual devotion. His influence extends beyond Sufism, resonating with audiences worldwide, making him one of the most widely read poets, especially in the United States.
Rumi passed away on December 17, 1273, in Konya. His mausoleum, the Mevlâna Museum, remains a site of pilgrimage, reflecting the enduring legacy of his wisdom and poetry.
