Introduction
✨ Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi (جلالالدین محمد رومی) (1207-1273 CE), known primarily as Rumi, is one of the most profound and enduring figures in Sufi mysticism and Persian literature. His birth in Balkh (now in Afghanistan) and life in Qonya, Anatolia (modern-day Turkey), laid the foundation for his remarkable contributions to Islamic mysticism, poetry, and spiritual teachings.
Comprehensive Definition and Meaning
Rumi’s work transcends mere poetry, embodying a pathway to divine love and mystical union with the Divine. Beginning as a traditional Sufi follower, Rumi’s encounters with the mystical dervish Shams-e-Tabrizi in 1244 sparked a profound transformation in his spiritual journey, leading to a more ecstatic and expressive form of spirituality.
The Mawlawi (Mevlevi) Order
Rumi’s legacy is also immortalized through the establishment of the Mawlawi Order (Mevlevi in Turkish) post his death. This order is renowned for its structured and aristocratic organizational model, hereditary succession, and integration of music, poetry, and dance—specifically the “whirling” dance, symbolizing the cosmic dance of the planets around the sun.
Etymology and Background
The name Rumi derives from “Rome” as Anatolia was part of the Byzantine Empire, which was often referred to as “Rûm” during the Middle Ages.
Historical Facts and Dates
- Birth: September 30, 1207, in Balkh (now Afghanistan).
- Encounter with Shams-e-Tabrizi: 1244, a life-changing moment leading Rumi towards ecstatic mysticism.
- Death: December 17, 1273, in Qonya, where he is buried.
Cultural Significance
Rumi’s influence extends beyond Islamic mysticism into universal humanism and spirituality. His humanistic philosophy resonated deeply, making significant impacts on Turkish culture and bridging gaps between Islam and other religious traditions like Christianity.
Translations in Various Languages
- Arabic: جلالالدین محمد رومی
- Turkish: Mevlânâ Celâleddîn-i Rûmî
- Persian: مولوی جلالالدین محمد بلخی
- Urdu: علامہ جلال الدین رومی
- Bengali: জালালউদ্দীন রুমি
- Indonesian: Jalaluddin Rumi
Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms
- Mystic
- Sufi Poet
- Dervish
Antonyms
- Materialist
- Rationalist
Related Terms
- Sufism: Islamic mysticism focusing on the inward search for God and shunning materialism.
- Mathnawi (مثنوی): Rumi’s renowned poetic work filled with spiritual insights and stories.
- Whirling Dervishes: Practitioners of the Sufi dance form stemming from Rumi’s followers.
- Shaykh: A Sufi spiritual leader or master.
Exciting Facts
- The Whirling Dance: Rumi’s followers, known as whirling dervishes, perform a dance symbolizing the cosmic journey to disintegration of the ego and union with the divine.
- Literary Output: Rumi authored over seventy thousand verses of Persian poetry, unrivaled in their scope and emotional depth.
Quotations from Notable Writers
-
Coleman Barks: “Rumi’s poems are not only his profound natural utterance; they are a threshold into the presence of that which was most real for him.”
-
Jawid Mojaddedi: “Rumi offers a process of transformation where one’s worldly self-love turns into love for the eternal.”
References
- Schimmel, Annemarie. The Triumphant Sun: A Study of the Works of Jalaloddin Rumi. SUNY Press, 1993.
- Barks, Coleman. The Essential Rumi. HarperOne, 2004.
Further Studies
- Rumi: The Big Red Book by Coleman Barks
- Rumi’s World: The Life and Works of the Greatest Sufi Poet by Annemarie Schimmel
- Music of the Soul: Papyrus of the Soul by Camille Helminski
Inspirational Farewell
“May the poetry of Rumi open the heart to the divine love that he so passionately embraced, letting every soul dance in the orbit of spiritual awakening.”
