Raj Khooblall
17 December this year marks the 750th death anniversary of Mevlana Jalal al-Din Muhammad, commonly known as Rumi, a renowned 13th-century poet, philosopher and Muslim Sufi guide.
Every year, in the month of December, thousands of people from across the world go to the Mevlana Mausoleum in Konya, Turkey, for the Seb-i Arus, a 10-day celebration to commemorate Rumi death anniversary. For Rumi, death is the ultimate reunion with the Divine and Seb-i Arus refers to ‘wedding night’ in Turkish.
For me, his poetry has always been a source of comfort, inspiration, and a reminder of the beauty that exists in every moment of life. Even in moment of despair, Rumi’s poem is like a lamp in the darkness, guiding me towards the light of hope and resilience. His verses give a sense of optimism, urging me to embrace both joy and sorrow as essential facets of human life. I love his quote, “Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with heart and soul there is no such thing as separation.”
I find in Rumi’s works, expression that surpasses the boundaries of time and culture, while his religious writings embrace all humanity not just the Muslim world. When I listen to his poem, I find myself immersed in the mystic beauty of Rumi’s verses, it is as if his words are being whispered from a timeless realm, going through the ages and resonating with the essence of life. His verses become a companion to me, offering solace in moments of solitude and music in time of joy.
No doubt, Rumi is considered one of the world’s greatest Sufi philosophers and is loved and respected by all religions for his poems. He is certainly much more than a Muslim poet and Islamic scholar, he is a Sufi mystic, an enlightened man. I can understand why his poetry has made him the most popular poet in the US.
I believe that Rumi’s poem will continue to influence humanity and his verses will unite hearts across cultures and religions, creating a basis of love and understanding. As I remember him on this special occasion, it is not just a reflection on his life and death, but a study of the immortal legacy he left behind. His work remains as one of the most important of Islamic literature and among the greatest mystical poem in world.
In the world of literature, Rumi’s words are like stars shining bright through the ages. His poem, wrapped in the language of love and immersed in mysticism, has become a guide for human life. Quotes like “You were born with wings, why prefer to crawl through life?” always motivate me for lifelong improvement. The emotional connection people feel towards Rumi’s poetry is a testament to its universal nature. In the quiet moments of solitude, people find comfort in his verses while in moments of joy his poems are often recited in gatherings. Just try to read Rumi’s poem ‘The Meaning of Love’ and see its effects!
The story of Rumi is incomplete without mentioning his great spiritual master Shams (Shams-e Tabrizi). It was his meeting with Shams that completely changed Rumi’s life. With the spiritual teaching he got from Shams, his journey became all about gathering knowledge of love and adopting it in real life. It is said that as soon as Shams spoke, Rumi knew that he had met his spiritual teacher while Shams knew he had found the pupil he had been seeking for years. From a teacher, Rumi was transformed into a great mystic poet. It was due to the close spiritual link with Shams that he took the name of Rumi for his poetic works.
In remembering Rumi on his 750th death anniversary, we are not limiting just to history but we are participating in the celebration of love, poetry, and to his immortal verses.
I wish that the works of Rumi continue to inspire, and that his poetry remains a source of enlightenment which may guide us throughout time with the blessing of eternal love. On this auspicious occasion, let his poetic verses be recited as songs of love with the rhythm of the heartbeat. In the blessed moments of remembrance, I am recalling a poet whose contributions to literature, poetry and Islamic teachings will remain unforgettable. Let me end by quoting, “Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”
