Contents
Rumi
Writing the Masnavi and devotional poetry associated with Sufi thought.
Masnavi · Divan of Shams of Tabriz
- Born
- 30 September 1207
- Birthplace
- Balkh region, historically Greater Khorasan
- Died
- 17 December 1273
More people
Rumi
A Persian-language poet and religious teacher whose life and work centred on Konya. His writing explores love, spiritual transformation and the search for understanding.
Early life
Family migration
His family came from the Balkh region and travelled west before settling in Anatolia.
Religious learning
Was educated in Islamic scholarship and followed his father into teaching.
Career
- 1220s
Konya
Settled with his family in Anatolia.
- 1230s
Teaching
Developed his role as a religious scholar.
- 1244
Shams of Tabriz
Met the spiritual companion who profoundly affected his poetry.
- Later life
Major writings
Composed the Masnavi and extensive lyric poetry.
Selected work
Masnavi
A six-book poem using stories to explore spiritual questions.
Divan of Shams of Tabriz
A major collection of lyric poetry.
Fihi Ma Fihi
Discourses collected by followers.
Context & legacy
Religious context
His poetry is rooted in Islamic learning and Sufi practice.
Mevlevi tradition
Followers developed the Mevlevi order after his death, associated with the whirling ceremony.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Image is a historical or commemorative representation ↗Photo: Hossein Behzad. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
.jpg){kind=link}