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Perhaps no one has combined the qualities of spiritual master and literary genius to a greater extent than Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi (1207-1273). It is safe to say that no book within the realm of Islam, with the exception of the Qu'ran, has been so venerated and revered as Rumi's Mathnawi.
The tradition of whirling dervishes, and the
sema ceremony draw their origins from Mevlana, who is said to have whirled as he dictated his verse to his scribes, and to Shems of Tabriz (Rumi's spiritual mentor).
"Come, come, whoever you are.
Wanderer, idolator, worshipper of fire,
come even though you have broken your vows a thousand times,
Come, and come yet again.
Ours is not a caravan of despair." |
Mevlana lived for the latter part of his life in Konya
, Turkey, where he founded the Mevlevi Sufi Brotherhood.
Rumi passed away on the 17th of December in 1273. To this day an annual festival is held every year in Konya, starting at the beginning of December and concluding on the 17th.
Mevlana's mausoleum and dergah complex in Konya (presently the Mevlana Museum).
Mevlana
Portrait of Shems and Mevlana
Shems (at the Shems Camii in Konya)
On the grounds of the Mevlana Museum
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