Rumi

Rumi
Hossein Behzad · Public domain · source
Name	Rumi
Birth date	1207
Birth place	Balkh, Khwarezmian Empire
Death date	1273
Death place	Konya, Sultanate of Rum
School tradition	Sufism, Islamic philosophy

Rumi was a 13th-century Persian poet, jurist, theologian, and Sufi mystic born in Balkh, Khwarezmian Empire, which is now modern-day Afghanistan. His full name was Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Balkhī, and he is widely known for his influential works on Sufism, such as the Masnavi-e Ma'navi, which has been compared to the works of Shakespeare and Hafez. Rumi's teachings have been translated into many languages, including English, French, and Spanish language, and have been studied by scholars such as Annemarie Schimmel and William Chittick. His poetry has been set to music by composers like Omar Akram and Hossein Alizadeh, and has been performed by musicians such as Mohammad Reza Shajarian and Shahram Nazeri.

Life and Background

Rumi was born in Balkh to a family of Islamic scholars and theologians, including his father Baha ad-Din Walad and his grandfather Husam ad-Din Chalabi. He studied Islamic law and theology in Nishapur and Samarkand, where he met prominent scholars such as Fakhr al-Din al-Razi and Najm al-Din Kubra. Rumi later moved to Konya, Sultanate of Rum, where he became a prominent figure in the city's Sufi community, interacting with other notable Sufis like Shams-i-Tabrīzī and Attar of Nishapur. His life and teachings have been studied by scholars at institutions such as the University of Tehran, University of Cambridge, and Harvard University, and have been influenced by the works of Ibn Arabi and Al-Ghazali.

Poetry and Teachings

Rumi's poetry is known for its spiritual and philosophical themes, which have been compared to the works of Plato and Aristotle. His most famous work, the Masnavi-e Ma'navi, is a six-volume epic poem that explores topics such as love, spirituality, and self-discovery, and has been translated into many languages, including Turkish and Urdu. Rumi's teachings have been influenced by the works of Sufi poets like Hafez and Omar Khayyam, and have been studied by scholars such as Reynold Alleyne Nicholson and Arthur John Arberry. His poetry has been set to music by composers like Mohammad Reza Lotfi and Parviz Meshkatian, and has been performed by musicians such as Mohammad Reza Shajarian and Shahram Nazeri at venues like the Tehran Rudaki Hall and the Istanbul Hagia Sophia.

Sufism and Spirituality

Rumi was a prominent figure in the Sufi movement, which emphasizes the inner dimension of Islam and the pursuit of spiritual growth and self-discovery. His teachings have been influenced by the works of Sufi mystics like Al-Ghazali and Ibn Arabi, and have been studied by scholars at institutions such as the Al-Azhar University and the University of Oxford. Rumi's concept of love and spirituality has been compared to the teachings of Christian mystics like Meister Eckhart and St. John of the Cross, and has been influenced by the works of Buddhist and Taoist philosophers like Lao Tzu and Bodhidharma. His teachings have been practiced by Sufi orders such as the Mevlevi Order and the Naqshbandi Order, which have been influenced by the works of Shams-i-Tabrīzī and Baha ad-Din Naqshband.

Legacy and Influence

Rumi's legacy extends far beyond the Sufi community, and his teachings have been studied and appreciated by people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, including Western philosophers like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. His poetry has been translated into many languages, including English, French, and Spanish language, and has been set to music by composers like Omar Akram and Hossein Alizadeh. Rumi's influence can be seen in the works of literary figures like Goethe and Victor Hugo, and has been studied by scholars at institutions such as the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Chicago. His teachings have been practiced by spiritual leaders like Dalai Lama and Pope John Paul II, and have been influenced by the works of Tibetan Buddhist masters like Tsongkhapa and Padmasambhava.

Works and Translations

Rumi's works include the Masnavi-e Ma'navi, the Divan-e Shams-e Tabrīzī, and the Fihe Ma Fihe, which have been translated into many languages, including English, French, and Spanish language. His poetry has been translated by scholars such as Reynold Alleyne Nicholson and Arthur John Arberry, and has been published by institutions such as the Harvard University Press and the University of California Press. Rumi's works have been studied by scholars at institutions such as the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, and have been influenced by the works of Sufi poets like Hafez and Omar Khayyam. His teachings have been practiced by Sufi orders such as the Mevlevi Order and the Naqshbandi Order, which have been influenced by the works of Shams-i-Tabrīzī and Baha ad-Din Naqshband. Category:Persian poets