Jalaluddin Rumi, commonly known as Rumi, was a 13th-century Persian poet, Islamic scholar, and Sufi mystic. He was born on September 30, 1207, in the city of Balkh, which is now part of Afghanistan, and died on December 17, 1273, in Konya, Turkey.
Rumi's family fled the Mongol invasion of Central Asia and eventually settled in Konya, where his father became a prominent scholar and religious figure. Rumi followed in his father's footsteps and became a renowned Islamic scholar and jurist. However, at the age of 37, he met a wandering mystic named Shams al-Din, who had a profound impact on his life and led him to devote himself to Sufism.
Rumi's teachings emphasize the importance of love, compassion, and self-awareness in attaining spiritual enlightenment. He believed that all religions were different paths to the same truth and encouraged his followers to seek God through prayer, meditation, and service to others.
Rumi's influence has spread far beyond his native Persia and his teachings have been embraced by people of all faiths and cultures. His poetry has been translated into many languages and continues to be read and studied around the world. Rumi's legacy also includes the Mevlevi Order, a Sufi order founded by his followers that is known for its whirling dervishes, who perform a meditative dance as a form of worship.
