Who is Rumi?
Rumi, more formally called Malwana Jala ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, is one of the most influential Persian poets of the 13th century. His work is celebrated not only by the Sufism it inspires but also by most in the Muslim world. His poetry also transcends his Persian roots and is recognized as both spiritual and beautiful writing by many people of many different religions throughout the rest of the world. Rumi is frequently associated with Sufism and with the Mevlevi Order, known to most of the world as Whirling Dervishes. He espoused that God should be celebrated through poetry, song and dancing. The Sufis often believe that Rumi’s writing is only succeeded in importance by the Qur’an. From a literary standpoint, the poetry of Rumi is considered as the most influential Persian poetry and his influence can be shown in the many great Persian poets who followed him. The poetry of Rumi has been compared to the book of Psalms and to the Song of Solomon. He writes as the lover of God, attempting
MAWLANA JALALADDIN RUMI The Whirling Dervishes are followers of the 13th century Muslim poet and philosopher Mawlana Jalaladdin Rumi, who lived in Konya, Turkey. He represents the Sufi tradition of mainstream Islam driven by the Holy Quran and the Prophet Muhammad. The Whirling Dervishes are known for their famous practice of whirling as a form of dhikr (remembrance of God). The rituals of the Whirling Dervishes with chanting and music are among the most enduring ceremonies of spirituality. The universal values of love, respect, self-discipline and responsibility shared by all Sufis are very much relevant to the individual and social issues of today. Rumi is one of the great spiritual masters and poetic geniuses of mankind. Rumi’s life and works show us that it is not faith, belief and religion which cause hatred, conflict and violence, but the sins of hatred and greed and other symptoms of the unrestrained ego, and he showed us how the true practice of religion, the purification of th
