Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī
Statue of Rumi in Buca
GENERAL INFORMATION
Rumi is also known as Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Balkhī born in Balkhi, Afghanistan on 30 September, 1207.
The Persian poet is globally famous with 26 translation of his creation 'Masnavi'.
If one is willing to learn about the legacy that Rumi leaves behind, then one can't ignore the major influence of Shams Tabrizi.
The bond between Rumi and Shams is untold and controversial.
Rumi, The seeker of God, his passing is known as Sheb-i Arus (the night of union).
Was buried in Turkey's central province of Konya, where he lived most of his life, produced his works and died on Dec.17, 1273.
WHY READ ABOUT RUMI?
The verses of Rumi are blend of intuitive love for God, various legal codes from the sacred text of Sunni Islam and different mystical thoughts.
He has a message to convey which is timeless and prestine for generations to come.
Something that liberates and heals.
THE POP CULTURE POPULARITY
Rumi is the "bestseller poet" in UK and a great inspiration for different artists there. Beyonce named one her twin after Rumi's name. Be it Chris Martin to read Rumi's work to get over divorce or Jay-Z, Madonna, Tilda following the western mantra for limitless love and success through spiritual seeking.
A big credit goes to Coleman Barks who brought Rumi to the West and interpreted his texts while still keeping it original.
Bark describes Rumi's poems as 'The mystery of opening hearts'.
POPULAR QUOTATIONS
"What you seek is seeking you"
"Lovers don't finally meet somewhere. They are in each other all along"
"The wound is the place where the light enters"
"Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan your flames"
"Out beyond the ideas of wrongdoings and rightdoings, there is a field.
I'll meet you there"
THE CONTROVERSIAL BOND
Maulana Rumi and Shams Tabrizi stayed together for about two years. The bond between them became a matter of constant discussion and nagging because of their polar opposite nature.
Shams Tabrizi was a careless wanderer, a poor man who used abusive words frequently, even before children and was mostly drunk, altogether a violent man.
While Rumi belonged to a wealthy family with a powerful political background. He was reputed and a loved master of Turkey. A calm and sober man.
Shams and Rumi use to share a private space where nobody was allowed to enter no matter whatsoever.
One day, Shams left Rumi because of the constant criticism from the people.
Rumi turned so desperate to stop Shams that he offered a marriage proposal of his youngest daughter and Shams couldn't reject it.
The stories about their bond was untold and mostly controversial but in one of the famous biographical work on Rumi by Shahram Shiva, it is mentioned that Rumi knew Shams was a window of enlightenment and had knowledge beyond this world. Whereas Shams was in search of a student to preach and he found Rumi who was gifted and talented both.
Also rumors about their involvement in any kind of sexual pleasure is discarded by the author.
The private space was confined because of the different mystic practices being performed by duo.
As a tribute from a grandmaster student to his Ali ibn Abu Talib (father of sufism ), Rumi mentions Shams at the end of his creations.
The Talk Time
Rumi has a perfect balance of carefreeness and essential class in his writing which makes it liberating and enlightening.
His writings are mostly put in the light of romance by his follwers, however, not everything that Rumi writes is romantic but is always enlightening.
Rumi is a direct gift from the divine and shouldn't be boxed as just an Islamic preacher as his work is beyond any religion .
The most lovable part of his writing is the wholesomeness in each of his lines leaving behind a deep impact in a very simple and effective way.
The Mystic, The Charmer, The Enlightner, The Saint, will always abide in our hearts through his verses.
This was really nice article .
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