“Unraveling the Mystique: Mawlana Rumi, Poet, Mystic, and Philosopher”
Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī, or simply only Rumi was a 13TH century poet , Maturidi theologian , Islamic scholar and Sufi mystic originally from Greater Khurasan ,Iran. Rumi’s works were written mostly in Persian, but occasionally he also used Turkish, Arabic and Greek in his verse. He was born in Balkh Afghanistan. Rumi’s life became intertwined with the teachings of Sufism, a mystical branch of Islam that focuses the inward search for God and the cultivation of love, knowledge, and self-awareness. Rumi had two sons Sultan Walad and Ala-eddin Chalabi. He had also adopted a daughter by the name of Kimya Khatoon who was raised and educated by Rumi himself and finally given in marriage to Shams Tabraiz who was a dear and companion of Rumi.
The meeting of Mawlana Rumi and Shams Tabriz:
In the marketplace of Konya, amid the cotton stalls, sugar vendors, and vegetable stands, Rumi rode through the street, surrounded by his students. Shams came and caught hold of the reins of his donkey and challenged the master with two questions. “Who was the greater mystic, Bayazid Bostami [a Sufi saint] or Prophet Muhammad?” Shams demanded. “What a strange question! Muhammad is greater than all the Prophets and Saints,” Rumi replied. “So, why is it then that Muhammad said to God, I didn’t know you as I should have,’ while Bayazid declared, ‘Glory be to me! How elevated is my Majesty!” Mevlana Rumi explained that Muhammad was the greater of the two, because Bayazid could be filled to capacity by a single experience of divine blessings. He lost himself completely and was filled with God’s blessings. Prophet Muhammad’s capacity was unlimited and could never be filled. His desire was endless, and he was always yearning. With every moment he came closer to God, and then regretted his former distant state. For that reason he said, “I have never known you as I should have.” It is recorded that after this exchange of words, Rumi felt a window open at the top of his head and saw smoke rise to heaven. He cried out, fell to the ground, and lost consciousness for one hour.
“The Unbreakable Bond of Rumi and Shams”
In the annals of spiritual history, few friendships are as revered and enigmatic as that between Mawlana Rumi and Shams Tabriz. Their bond transcended the boundaries of ordinary companionship, delving into the depths of divine connection. Rumi, the admired scholar and poet, walked the path of spiritual inquiry with an insatiable thirst for truth, while Shams, the wandering mystic, possessed an otherworldly wisdom that captivated Rumi’s soul. Their meeting in the bustling streets of Konya marked the beginning of a transformative journey—a journey characterized by intense dialogue, ecstatic revelations, and a profound merging of hearts. Together, they explored the mysteries of existence, unraveling the veils that obscured the truth of divine love. Yet, their friendship was not without its trials. Jealousy, misunderstanding, and societal pressures threatened to tear them apart, casting shadows upon their luminous connection. Despite the challenges, Rumi and Shams remained steadfast in their devotion to each other and to the divine presence that permeated their beings. Even in Shams’ physical absence, his spiritual legacy continued to guide Rumi, inspiring the timeless verses of poetry that would touch the hearts of millions for generations to come. The bond of friendship between Rumi and Shams stands as a testament to the life changing power of companionship and the eternal dance of souls drawn together by the magnetic pull of divine love.