Jalal al-Din Rumi, also commonly referred to as Rumi, was
a 13th century Sufi Mystic, Sunni Muslim poet, scholar and
theologian. Rumi’s poems influenced both
the people of his time as well as the western world today. His poems were influenced by his early life
that was filled with integration as well as obstacles that he faced throughout his
career as a scholar and poet. His poems
quickly became popular and are still read and studied today for the unique style
in delivering the important messages that he has to offer.
When
studying the works of Rumi, it is important to first take a look at his past. He was born in 1207 in Vakhsh, on the border
of what is now Afghanistan. He was born
into a Persian family that was filled with generations of mystics and scholars. Rumi and his family fled his birth place in
order to escape the Mongol invasion.
During their travel, his family performed the pilgrimage to Mecca. The family finally finished their journey and
settled in Konya, Anatolia which is present day Turkey. Here, Rumi followed his father’s footsteps
and became an accomplished scholar.
Chase
Robison author of Islamic Civilization in
Thirty Lives, explains that “To this point, Rumi’s early life might be
described within a familiar frame of immigration: seeking opportunity, his
father left what was old world for a new one, leveraging his culture capital in
a society open to newcomers, and preserving some old ways through marriage to a
women from the old country.” (Robinson, 190)
These experiences are what helped to shape the foundation for his
thought. “For Rumi was not only living in an Islamic society that was still in
a relatively early stage of formation, but also a time when a new social
movement was taking place” (Robinson, 190)
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| Rumi gathers Sufi mystics |
In
the next period of his life, he began to study Sufism, which later led to him speaking
at a mosque in Anatolia. His next
adventure led him to Damascus. Following
his arrival to Damascus, he met Shams-e Tabrizi, a Sufi Dervish, who would
later become a mentor and an important part of Rumi’s life who would later
influence some of his poems. This poetic
influence was a result of the spiritual inspiration that he had on Rumi. After the death of his companion Tabrizi,
Rumi spent most of the remainder of his life writing poetry. His written works are about reason and love,
not only the love that you feel towards your friends or family, but of a divine
love, the love for God. His poems were also dedicated to Tabrizi and the
Prophet Muhammed. In addition to poems,
he also integrated music and dance into his religious practice. Robinson notes, “It should be emphasized that
the purpose of the Mathnavi is not
dramatic storytelling, but lesson learning…the purpose of the text being
didactic, it delivers on a project that complements the exercise of reason.”
(Robinson, 194) It is reason and knowledge
that will lead to love of the universal aspect of humanity.
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Page out of 1503 copy of Rumi's work the
Diwan-e Shams-e Tabriz-i
|
Associate
professor in the department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Felician
College, Donald Casey, explains in his article “Rumi: Faith, Knowledge, Reason,
and Love” that Rumi’s poems were inspired by God’s love that was present in his
life. Casey explains that the path to
this universal love inevitably starts with knowledge. However, the importance of knowledge that
Rumi speaks of is not taught in modern western education, but instead, Casey
clarifies that the knowledge Rumi speaks of “must be tempered with humility if
one is to reach full maturity.” He
continues to say that this knowledge is achieve through reason. This reason, or the rational side of the
human body must overcome the carnal desires.
It is explained as a division between the desires of the body and the
desires of the mind, most often, the desires of the body win, but when it doesn’t
is when true knowledge can begin to be understood.
Casey
translates Rumi’s messages as “[f]irst, God is love but that does not exhaust
who God is. God is the source of all love, just as He is the source of
everything. Second, love is the divine creative force which permeates the
universe. Third, love also is understood as that force which is strong enough
to forge the union of two individuals, whether that "one" is the
union of God and a creature or the union of two human creatures.” Although there are many translations to
Rumi’s work, most agree that the general message in his work is centered on the
concept of love.
It
is well known that Rumi is one of the best-selling poets in the English speaking
world today. So a fair question would
be, why is it that the modern English speaking world still cherish and study Rumi’s
poetry? One explanation for this is that he is considered a speaker for the
knowledge that the West does not have.
Rumi speaks of a knowledge that cannot be taught through education, but
only through experience. Rumi’s poems
speak of an unconditional love and knowledge that what will lead to his vision
of an ultimate truth.
As
with all important works, there are other theories as to why Rumi’s words are
still so influential today. Author Jane
Ciabattari explains in her article that examines why Rumi is the bestselling
poet in the United States says, “Rumi is a very mysterious and provocative poet
and figure for our time, as we grapple with understanding the Sufi tradition
[and] understanding the nature of ecstasy and devotion and the power of poetry.” Ciabattari continues on to explain that although
the times have changed, “there is a strong global movement, an impulse that
wants to dissolve the boundaries that religions have put up and end the
sectarian violence. It is said that people of all religions came to
Rumi's funeral in 1273. Because, they said, he deepens our faith wherever we
are. This is a powerful element in his appeal now.” There is the common thought of integration
that has influenced so many both in Rumi’s time and today. The idea of being inclusive is so much more
desirable than to be excluded.
In conclusion, the many works of Rumi have stood the test
of time because of their unique messages.
His use of integrating the experiences of his life to create a distinct
language continues to be appreciated and integrated into today’s studies. His poems are warmly received throughout
history and cultures across the world because his messages are universal. Ciabattari concludes that “Rumi was an
experimental innovator among the Persian poets and he was a Sufi master. This combination of mystical richness and
bold adaptations of poetic forms is the key to his popularity today.” It is concluded by many that Rumi was 800
years ahead of the times.
Works
Cited
Casey, Donald.
"Issue - Rumi: Faith, Knowledge, Reason, and Love." The Fountain Magazine. N.p.,
Mar.-Apr. 2012. Web. 21 May 2017.
Ciabattari, Jane.
"Culture - Why Is Rumi the Best-selling Poet in the US?" BBC. BBC, 21 Oct. 2014. Web.
20 May 2017.
"Rumi."
2012. FamousAuthors.org 24 May, http://www.famousauthors.org/rumi
Robinson,
Chase F. Islamic Civilization in Thirty Lives. N.p.: U Of California, 2016. Print.
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