Rumi
Jalāl ad–Dīn ar–Rūmī (1207–1273), or simply Rumi, was a thirteenth-century poet, theologian,
and Sufi mystic. He was perhaps the finest Persian poet of all time and a great
influence on Muslim writing and culture. While he led a fairly ordinary life
until the age of thirty-five, after meeting and subsequently losing his great
friend and Sufi teacher Shams, Rumi was moved to emit his soul through poetry.
With Shams influence, he became filled with the love of God.
Rumi is considered today to be a love poet and many translations
of his work have become mere love poems. Though love is an overwhelming part of
Rumi’s work, the love he speaks of is a higher love for God, not for humans.
Nevertheless, the imagery and language he uses has proved to be universal and
enduring and he continues to be one of the best-selling poets in America.
