Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi (also given as Jalal ad-did Muhammad Balkhi, best known as Rumi, l. 1207-1273 CE) was a Persian Islamic theologian and scholar but became famous as a mystical poet whose work focuses on the opportunity for a meaningful and elevated life through personal knowledge and love of God.
More about: Rumi8 days left
Server Costs Fundraiser 2024
Help our mission to provide free history education to the world! Please donate and contribute to covering our server costs in 2024. With your support, millions of people learn about history entirely for free every month.
$12669 / $18000
Definition
Timeline
-
1207 - 1273Life of the Persian poet Rumi, considered one of the greatest literary artists in the world.
-
c. 1215Rumi's father flees Balkh, Afghanistan to escape invading Mongols; moves family to Konya, Anatolia.
-
c. 1228Rumi is a highly-respected teacher and theologian living in Konya. When his father dies, he assumes his role as head of the religious community.
-
1244Rumi meets the Sufi mystic Shams-i-Tabrizi and the two become inseparable friends.
-
1248Shams-i-Tabrizi disappears; Rumi recognizes their spiritual connection is ongoing and begins to compose verse.
-
1248 - 1273Rumi composes mystical poetry for the rest of his life, including his famous work, the Masnavi, still unfinished at the time of his death.