Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi, known universally as Hazrat Mawlana Rumi (RA), was a colossal figure of the 13th century. He was a great Sufi poet, scholar, and philosopher whose teachings continue to illuminate hearts across the globe today. He was born in Balkh and later settled in Konya (modern-day Turkey), where his spiritual personality brought about a profound revolution. Rumi's poetry, especially the Masnavi-ye Ma'navi and Diwan-e Shams-e Tabrizi, provides the deepest explanations of true love, divine knowledge (Ma'rifat), the inner reality of the human being, and the spiritual journey.
Birth of Moulana Rumi
Mawlana Jalal ad-Din Rumi was born on 6 Rabi' al-Awwal, 604 AH, corresponding to September 30, 1207 AD, in the ancient and historic city of Balkh (present-day Afghanistan). At that time, this region was known as Khorasan, which was famous as a centre of knowledge and spirituality. Since the majority of the population in this area during that period belonged to the Tajik ethnic group, some biographers have referred to Rumi as Tajik, and there is a tradition of regarding the area as part of Tajikistan, although historically, Balkh was part of Khorasan.
Mawlana Rumi's Family Background
Hazrat Mawlana Jalal ad-Din Rumi came from a very noble and respectable family background. His lineage on his father's side traces back to Hazrat Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddique (RA), while his mother's lineage is connected to Hazrat Mawla Ali (RA).
His revered father's name was Baha' al-Din Walad, who was a great religious scholar. His family had settled in the region during the conquest of Khorasan. Rumi's paternal grandmother belonged to the Khwarezmian royal family, although there is a difference of opinion about which specific royal figure's daughter she was. His maternal grandmother is traditionally said to be the daughter of the famous jurist Shams al-A'imma Sarakhsi (RA).
Rumi's original name was Muhammad, but he became famous by the names "Jalal ad-Din," "Khodawandgar," "Mawlana-e Rum," and "Mawlana Rumi." He was the third child of his parents; his elder sister was Fatima, followed by his brother Ala ad-Din, and then Rumi himself was born. His father, Sheikh Baha' al-Din Walad (RA), was a highly esteemed scholar, jurist, and a great Sufi master of his time. It was his training and spiritual environment that shaped Rumi's personality into an extraordinarily towering spiritual figure.
Sheikh Baha' al-Din Walad, Rumi's Father
Mawlana Jalal ad-Din Rumi's father, Sheikh Baha' al-Din Walad (RA), was a highly distinguished religious scholar, jurist, commentator of the Quran (Mufassir), and a great Sufi master. His academic, spiritual, and moral greatness was so profound that people called him by the title "Sultan al-Ulama" (Sultan of the Scholars).
According to one narration, three hundred scholars dreamt on the same night that they saw the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and all of them saw the Prophet bestowing the title of "Sultan al-Ulama" upon Sheikh Baha' al-Din Walad. When morning arrived, every scholar hastened to his service to recount the dream, and coincidentally, three hundred scholars gathered at his door at the same time. Astonishingly, Sheikh Baha' al-Din Walad himself had the same dream, so before the scholars could speak, he narrated his dream, thereby making the dreams of all the scholars mutually confirming. This incident is a bright testament to his extraordinary spiritual greatness, knowledge, virtue, and high rank among the righteous servants of God.
Rumi's Migration to Konya
Hazrat Mawlana Jalal ad-Din Rumi was originally from Balkh (Khorasan, present-day Afghanistan), where he was born and spent his early life. However, due to political unrest, the threat of Mongol invasions, and spiritual considerations, his family was forced to migrate from Balkh.
First, they reached Nishapur, where he met Sheikh Farid ad-Din Attar (RA). Attar gifted Rumi his book, Asrar Nama (The Book of Secrets), which Rumi kept close with great reverence until his final years.
From there, the caravan travelled to Baghdad. After that, the family reached Hijaz, and Rumi had the honour of performing Hajj with his father. Upon their return, his family also stayed in Damascus (Syria) for some time.
Finally, Rumi's father, Sheikh Baha' al-Din Walad (RA), accepted an invitation from the Seljuk Sultanate and moved to Konya (present-day Turkey). Konya later became Mawlana Rumi's permanent residence. It was there that he continued his work of teaching, writing, spiritual guidance, and eventually passed away. Thus, Rumi's journey from Balkh to Konya was not just a physical migration but also a continuous evolution toward spiritual perfection and greatness.
Rumi's Education and Training
Mawlana Jalal ad-Din Rumi grew up under the shadow of a highly distinguished and elevated father. Rumi himself used to say: "If my father had lived for a few more years, I would not have needed Shams-e Tabriz." This statement gives an idea of the depth of Sheikh Baha' al-Din Walad's academic and spiritual training.
Rumi received his initial education from his father. Subsequently, he studied under his father's distinguished successor and great scholar, Sayyid Burhan ad-Din Tirmidhi (RA). At the time of his father's passing, Rumi was only 24, but his thirst for knowledge remained. Therefore, to pursue further studies, he travelled to Damascus, a major intellectual and academic centre of that era, where he attained mastery in several disciplines including Jurisprudence (Fiqh), Hadith, Quranic Exegesis (Tafsir), Philosophy, and Sufism. This academic journey later transformed into his spiritual greatness and the boundless ocean of the Masnavi.
During his stay in Damascus, Mawlana Jalal ad-Din Rumi was in the company of great Sufis and scholars of the time, including Muhyi ad-Din Ibn Arabi (RA), Sheikh Sa'd ad-Din Hamawi (RA), and Sheikh Sadr ad-Din Qunawi (RA). He received advanced education in Exegesis, Hadith, and Jurisprudence from the prominent scholars of Aleppo and Damascus, reaching such a level of academic perfection and prestige that scholars began to refer to him for the resolution of difficult issues.
While this academic journey was ongoing, his teacher and his father's successor, Sayyid Burhan ad-Din (RA), called him back to Konya to take over his father's teaching post and manage the administrative and teaching responsibilities of the madrasa (school). During this time, Sayyid Burhan ad-Din (RA) provided Rumi with nine years of highly subtle, profound, and continuous spiritual training, which elevated Rumi's personality to the level of a perfect Sufi and scholar.
Rumi's Teaching in Konya
Mawlana Jalal ad-Din Rumi, alongside his spiritual eminence, was also an unparalleled religious scholar, jurist, teacher, and orator. More than four hundred students studied at his own madrasa, and he also taught in other schools.
Due to the turmoil and attacks by the Tatars at that time, many great scholars and Sufis were flocking to Konya, which made the city a major academic and spiritual hub. But among them all, Mawlana Rumi's stature was unique—he maintained immense dignity and awe, and when he stepped out of the madrasa, students, jurists, and nobles would form a circle around him. People referred to him for legal rulings on matters of Fiqh. Kings, officials, and nobles considered it an honour to be in his service. No one could stand against him in academic debates, and his public addresses were so famous that people would gather from far and wide to listen to his words. Mawlana Rumi was an unparalleled, unique, and supreme figure on the academic and religious horizon of that era.
The Meeting of Mawlana Rumi and Shams-e Tabriz
For approximately 12 to 15 years, Mawlana Jalal ad-Din Rumi's teaching and scholarly life were at their peak. The madrasa was bustling, there were hundreds of students, nobles and scholars would surround him, and his regal academic prestige was undisputed. But then, one day, life took such a turn that Mawlana transformed into the "Maula-e Rum" (Master of Rome/Anatolia). He himself said:
"Mawlawi hargiz na gasht Maula-e Rum"
"Ta ghulam-e Shams-e Tabriz na gasht"
(The scholar never became the Master of Rome)
(Until he became the slave of Shams of Tabriz)
The incident is narrated as follows: Mawlana Rumi was forty years old. One day, he was teaching students by the pond of the madrasa when a mystic of ecstatic temperament (Majzoob) arrived—this was Hazrat Shams ad-Din Tabrizi (RA). He asked Mawlana:
"Ein chist?" (What is this?)
Mawlana replied:
"Ein an ilm ast ke tu nami-dani" (This is the knowledge that you do not know.)
Upon hearing this, Hazrat Shams-e Tabriz (RA) looked at Mawlana Jalal ad-Din Rumi (RA). Mawlana then experienced stomach pain and went away for a necessary break. At that very moment, Shams-e Tabriz (RA) threw Mawlana's books into the pond.
When Mawlana Rumi returned from his break, he was extremely distressed upon seeing this and said, "What have you done? The effort of my entire life has been ruined in an instant!" As soon as he heard this, Hazrat Shams-e Tabriz (RA) extended his hand towards the pond, and the books emerged completely dry.
When everyone saw the books emerge unharmed, they were astonished. This event proved to be the beginning of a new spiritual chapter in Mawlana Rumi's life, and he became eternally devoted to Shams-e Tabriz (RA) for the rest of his life. Thus, a new chapter of Rumi's life opened in the form of divine love (Ishq) for his spiritual guide.
Shams-e Tabriz's Departure
After the meeting, Mawlana Rumi and Shams began to live together, spending most of their time in each other's company. Mawlana Rumi abandoned all his regular activities, discontinued his teaching, stopped giving sermons, and dedicated more time to Shams-e Tabriz. Seeing this, the students and scholars became anxious and turned against Shams-e Tabriz, wondering what spell this mystic had cast upon Mawlana.
When the situation escalated, Shams-e Tabriz quietly left for Damascus. When Mawlana Rumi learned of his sudden disappearance the next morning, he was overwhelmed with grief from the separation and searched for him desperately. He became aloof from everyone and confined himself to his house. People became even more worried.
Contrary to their expectations, Mawlana's condition worsened, rather than improved, after Shams-e Tabriz's departure. At this point, people apologized to Mawlana. Meanwhile, Mawlana learned that Shams-e Tabriz was in Damascus, so he sent his son, Sultan Walad, there, and he brought Shams back to Konya. Thus, Mawlana Jalal ad-Din once again left all his work and devoted himself to Shams-e Tabriz.
A few days later, Shams-e Tabriz got married, and Mawlana arranged a residence for him near his own house.
Things were going well, but then a dispute arose between Mawlana's younger son, Ala ad-Din, and Shams-e Tabriz over the issue of passing near the house. Some people who were already displeased with Shams-e Tabriz further incited Ala ad-Din. The conflict intensified, and one day, Shams-e Tabriz suddenly disappeared, and his whereabouts were never traced again.
Some accounts also suggest that Shams-e Tabriz's wife was ill during those days and passed away, and he loved her dearly. For this reason, he left heartbroken and went away somewhere. However, only Allah (God) knows the truth best.
Following this incident, Mawlana Jalal ad-Din Rumi's condition deteriorated. He also sent his son everywhere in search of his guide and went to Damascus himself, but Shams-e Tabriz was nowhere to be found. Later, Mawlana attained patience. However, one change that occurred in him was that the practice of listening to Sama (spiritual music and dance), which he disliked before, became an essential part of his life.
In the love for his spiritual guide, he would write poetry himself and listen to it from others. Overcome by emotion, he would stand up, sway, and dance. This dance of his is famous even today among his followers. During this time, if someone came for a religious ruling (Fatwa), he would immediately write and provide it.
Mawlana Jalaludin Rumi's Literary Works
Mawlana Jalal ad-Din Rumi's compositions are symbols of spiritual and literary greatness worldwide. His most famous masterpiece is the Masnavi-ye Ma'navi (Spiritual Couplets), which is also called the "Persian Qur'an," and it describes the depth of true love, divine knowledge, ethics, and the inner human journey.
In addition, his Diwan-e Shams-e Tabrizi (The Collected Poems of Shams of Tabriz) is immensely famous, reflecting his spiritual relationship with Shams-e Tabriz (RA) and his poetry of divine love.
Rumi's other works include Fihi Ma Fihi (In It What Is In It), Makatabat (The Letters), and Majalis-e Sab'a (Seven Sessions), which cover his daily sayings, letters, and teachings. His works hold a unique position not only in Persian literature but are also treasures of Sufi thought and spiritual wisdom that continue to enlighten the minds and hearts of people in every age.
The Passing of Mawlana Jalal ad-Din Rumi
Mawlana Jalal ad-Din Rumi (RA) passed away on 17 Rabi' al-Thani, 672 AH, corresponding to December 17, 1273 AD, in Konya (present-day Turkey). After his death, people all over the world mourned, and the people of Konya continued the tradition of visiting his shrine with reverence and devotion.
At the time of his passing, students, scholars, Sufis, and common people gathered to attend his last rites and receive spiritual blessings. Rumi's death was not only the passing of a great scholar and Sufi but also the closing of a chapter in the spiritual and academic world. His shrine is visited by devotees and lovers of Sufism from all over the world today, and the light of Mawlana Jalal ad-Din Rumi's teachings and words remains alive there to this day.
When is Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi's Urs (Commemoration)?
Mawlana Jalal ad-Din Rumi's Urs (the annual commemoration of his passing) is celebrated every year on 17 Rabi' al-Thani, marking the date of his passing in 1273 AD.
This Urs is celebrated with immense spiritual and religious fervour in Konya (modern-day Turkey), where thousands of devotees and lovers of Sufism gather at Mawlana's shrine. During the Urs, Rumi's poetry, verses from the Masnavi and Diwan-e Shams-e Tabrizi, are recited, and the spirit of divine love and spiritual passion is kept alive through Sama (the whirling ceremony/spiritual dance).
People from all over the world attend this event to receive the blessings of Mawlana's teachings, love, and spirituality, and this Urs continues to illuminate his academic and spiritual heritage today.
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