Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī, widely known simply as Rumi, was a 13th-century Persian poet, Islamic scholar, theologian, and Sufi mystic. He was born on September 30, 1207, in Balkh (in present-day Afghanistan), though his family later fled westward to escape the Mongol invasions. They eventually settled in Konya, in present-day Turkey, which became Rumi’s lifelong home and the center of his spiritual and literary legacy.
Rumi was initially trained in Islamic jurisprudence and theology, inheriting the scholarly mantle of his father, Baha’ ud-Din Walad. However, a profound spiritual transformation occurred when Rumi met the wandering dervish Shams of Tabriz in 1244. This intense spiritual friendship deeply affected Rumi, inspiring a torrent of poetic creativity. When Shams mysteriously disappeared—possibly murdered—Rumi’s grief and longing poured into verses of divine love and union with the eternal.
Rumi’s most famous work is the “Masnavi” (or Mathnawi), a six-volume poetic masterpiece often referred to as the “Qur’an in Persian.” He also composed thousands of lyrical poems called ghazals, compiled in his Divan-e Shams-e Tabrizi, dedicated to his spiritual companion. His writings emphasize themes of love, divine ecstasy, the soul’s journey, and unity with the divine.
Rumi passed away on December 17, 1273, in Konya. His funeral was attended by people of many faiths, symbolizing his universal appeal. Today, he is celebrated across cultures and religions as a symbol of spiritual love and tolerance. The Mevlevi Order, also known as the Whirling Dervishes, was founded by his followers to carry forward his teachings.
The Guest House
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.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
Masnavi i Ma’navi
I died as inanimate matter and arose a plant,
I died as a plant and rose again an animal.
I died as an animal and arose a man.
Why then should I fear to become less by dying?
I shall die once again as a man
To rise an angel perfect from head to foot!
Again when I suffer dissolution as an angel,
I shall become what passes the conception of man!
Let me then become non-existent, for non-existence
Sings to me in organ tones, “To him shall we return.”
Rumi’s poetry, written primarily in Persian but also interspersed with Arabic, Turkish, and Greek, transcends borders and time. His timeless message—that love is the path to spiritual realization—continues to resonate with millions around the world.
“Knock, And He’ll open the door
Vanish, And He’ll make you shine like the sun
Fall, And He’ll raise you to the heavens
Become nothing, And He’ll turn you into everything.”
“Do you know what you are?
You are a manuscript of a divine letter.
You are a mirror reflecting a noble face.
This universe is not outside of you.
Look inside yourself;
everything that you want,
you are already that.”
“You were born with potential.
You were born with goodness and trust. You were born with ideals and dreams. You were born with greatness.
You were born with wings.
You are not meant for crawling, so don’t.
You have wings.
Learn to use them and fly.”