Rumi

Lore & Background

Rumi was born to Persian parents in Balkh (in present-day Afghanistan), not in Wakhsh, Tajikistan; the claim that he was born in Wakhsh is a minority theory not supported by the widely accepted canon. The rapidly advancing Mongol hordes forced his family to flee west early in his life. After spending time in various cities across Iran, Baghdad, and Damascus, he settled in Konya with his family at around age 21 or 22 (c. 1228). Until recently, Konya had been a province of the Eastern Roman Empire, hence his name Rumi, i.e. 'the Roman.' Although exposed to Sufi thought from early childhood, he was expected to follow his father's footsteps as an Islamic scholar. The arrival to Konya of the mysterious wandering dervish Shams Tabrīzī altered the course of his life permanently. Rumi and Shams became infatuated with each other, causing Rumi to neglect his duties. When Shams mysteriously disappeared, Rumi experienced an intense period of grief reflected in his Divan of Shams Tabrīzī. This was the defining moment in the evolution of Rumi's spiritual worldview and marked the beginning of his poetic output.

Reader's Guide

Rumi's significance lies in his role as a Sufi mystic and poet whose works have transcended cultural and linguistic boundaries. His Masnavi, often called a 'Qur'an in Persian,' is considered one of the greatest poems of the Persian language. Many Muslims, particularly in the Turko-Persian cultural sphere, regard the Masnavi as one of the most important works of Islamic literature, falling behind only the Quran. Rumi's works are widely read today across his native Greater Iran as well as in Turkey, where the Sufi brotherhood he founded is based. His poems have been translated into many of the world's languages, and Rumi has been described as the 'world's most popular poet.' In the United States, he has become the best-selling poet in recent years. His legacy includes the Mevlevi Order, also known as the Order of the Whirling Dervishes, famous for the Sufi dance known as the Sama ceremony.

Did You Know?

• Rumi's name means 'the Roman,' referring to his residence in the former Eastern Roman province of Konya.
• His Masnavi is often called a 'Qur'an in Persian' and is considered one of the greatest poems of the Persian language.
• The disappearance of Shams Tabrīzī marked the defining moment in Rumi's spiritual evolution and the start of his poetic output.
• Rumi has been described as the 'world's most popular poet' and is the best-selling poet in the United States in recent years.

Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)

"Forgive our faults; the true lover seeks God's presence itself, not paradise." — Rumi "Instead of clinging to the deceptive appearances of this world, one should turn to God from the depths of the soul, with sincerity." — Rumi "The intellect cannot comprehend the creed of love." — Rumi "The very One who makes your heart heavy and sorrowful is the same One who makes you flourish, fresh, and rose-colored. The very One who moves you to pray is the same One who grants the reward of prayer." — Rumi