MEVLANA CELALEDDIN RUMI

Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, also known as Rumi, was a philosopher and a mystic of Islam. It’s important to note that Rumi’s doctrines are not associated with orthodox Muslims. Rumi’s advocated tolerance that was unlimited in its reach, positive reasoning, charity, and an awareness of the self and world through love. He taught that all religions are united in their links to truth. Rumi is a symbol of peace and tolerance, and thus, is a key figure not only to Islam but to the world’s greatest thinkers.

The masnavi is an influential work that Melvana is most famous for penning. The story says that when Mevlana was working as an instructor in a religious school, he was lecturing when he noticed a vendor pass. He stopped the vendor, sampled his goods, and left with him, vanishing. Years later, Mevlana returned and would speak only in rhymed Persian couplets, and these poems became the Masnavi.

Mevlana was born on the 30th of September, 1208, in Balkh, which was in what is now known as present day Afghanistan. He passed away on the 17th of December in the year 1273 in Konya, which is now known as present day Turkey.
 

Following Melvana’s death, his son and followers founded Mawlawiyah Sufi Order, a type of Sufism, also known as the order of the Whirling Dervishes. Sema, a key component to this order, is key part of those who follow Mevlana’s teachings and an integral component to Turkish culture. The whirling dervish is said to cause the mind to participate or identify the shared similarity or connection between all other beings.

Mevlana, who summarized his life with the words, "I was raw, cooked and then burned" died on Sunday, December 17,1273. He had willed his burial prayers to be led by Sadrettin Konevi. However, Sadrettin Konevi was completely shattered with the death of Mevlana whom he loved greatly, and fainted at the ceremony. The prayer was then led by Kadı Sıraceddin.

Mevlana believed the day of death to be a day of rebirth. Death would take him to his beloved; that is, the God. With this believe he was referring to the day of death as "Şeb-i Arus" which means wedding day or the bridal night and willed his friends not to cry and wail after him.

"When we are dead, do not turn your eyes to the ground, seeking my grave! My grave will be in the hearts of the wise" Hz. Mevlana

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