Mevlana

Mevlana Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi (Persian: مولانا جلال الدین محمد بلخی; Turkish: Mevlana Jalaleddin Muhammed Rumi), commonly known simply as Mevlana or Rumi, lived 1207 to 1273. He was a Persian-speaking Sufi mystic, poet, and theologian. Born in Balkh (in present-day Afghanistan) and raised in the Khorasan region, his family moved westward to Anatolia during the Mongol invasions, eventually settling in Konya, part of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum.

His life as a spiritual teacher is anchored by his devotion to divine love and inward transformation. After meeting Shams of Tabriz, he composed much of his poetry and prose, though Shams disappeared; this encounter shaped his mystical outlook. His major works include the Masnavi-i Ma'navi, a six-volume poem exploring Sufi philosophy; the Divan-e Shams-e Tabrizi, lyric poetry in Persian; and the prose work Fi hi ma fi hi (Discourses). His writings emphasize love as the path to unity with the divine.

Mevlana is traditionally regarded as the founder of the Mevlevi Order, also known as the Whirling Dervishes, established by his followers after his death. The order is noted for its ceremonial spinning dances, a symbolic quest for spiritual ascent. Rumi's poetry has influenced Persian, Turkish, and world literature and is widely studied for its themes of longing, spiritual companionship, and the universality of spiritual truth. His works have been translated into many languages and remain popular across diverse audiences.

Mevlana's tomb is in Konya, and the complex surrounding the remains, including the Mevlana Museum, is a major cultural and pilgrimage site in Turkey. The figure of Rumi continues to be honored in Turkey and internationally, with annual commemorations and scholarly attention that situates him among the most influential Sufi poets in world history.