Reported Journalist:Zamil Shafeek
The spiritual legacy of Jalal al-Din Rumi and Hafez of Shiraz continues to transcend centuries, cultures and geographical boundaries, offering humanity profound reflections on love, knowledge, mystery and the search for the Divine.
Their poetry, shaped during the seventh and eighth centuries of the Solar Hijri calendar—the 13th and 14th centuries of the Christian era—has continued to refresh and strengthen the human spirit. Their words speak simultaneously to the ordinary human experience and to deeper mystical dimensions that remain accessible only through spiritual reflection and inner understanding.
The poetry of Rumi and Hafez often carries meanings that appear simple on the surface while concealing layers of mystery beneath them. Their writings suggest that not every truth is necessarily meant to be revealed to everyone, and that certain forms of knowledge may require a particular spiritual readiness.Rumi expresses this idea through the warning that subtle truths can be as sharp as a blade, implying that those who are unprepared may be better served by stepping back rather than attempting to grasp what they are not yet equipped to understand.
The Wisdom of Not Knowing One of the most powerful ideas found in Rumi’s mystical thought is that ignorance, in certain circumstances, can itself serve a purpose. Human life is built not only upon what people know, but also upon what remains unknown.Rumi illustrates this concept through a story in the Masnavi about a man who asks Prophet Moses to pray that he may understand the language of animals.Although Moses warns him that such knowledge would bring him no benefit, the man insists.
Eventually, he is granted the ability to understand the speech of animals in his household.He then overhears a conversation between his dog and rooster concerning a series of misfortunes supposedly awaiting him. Believing what he hears, the man successively sells his horse and cow and dismisses his servant in an attempt to escape the predicted losses.Finally, the rooster tells the dog that the man himself will die.
Terrified, the man runs to Moses and asks him for help.Moses reminds him that he had warned him from the beginning that such knowledge would not benefit him.The story presents a profound philosophical question: What would human life become if people knew the precise moment of their death, or knew exactly what every other person thought and felt about them?Rumi’s message suggests that some mysteries may remain hidden for a reason.
The unknown can provide stability, preserve human relationships and allow life to unfold naturally.The Mystery of Divine LoveFor Rumi, however, one mystery stands above all others: love.He describes the Masnavi as a place where the precious commodity of love is offered. Love, in his mystical worldview, is not merely an emotional experience between human beings; it is a pathway toward the Divine.
Hafez of Shiraz similarly fills his Divan with themes of love, surrender and mystery. His poetry presents love as an endless journey in which the seeker ultimately has to surrender the self.The spiritual transformation of Rumi became particularly profound following his encounter with Shams of Tabriz in 642 Solar Hijri, traditionally associated with 1263 CE.
The meeting profoundly altered Rumi’s spiritual and intellectual life.Rumi came to regard Shams as a source of spiritual illumination, comparing him to the sun. His poetry repeatedly reflects the extraordinary place Shams occupied in his spiritual world, portraying him as both guide and source of divine inspiration.A Spiritual Tradition Across GenerationsRumi’s spiritual journey did not begin with Shams alone.
His earliest formation was deeply influenced by his father, Baha al-Din Walad, a renowned mystic and Sufi scholar whose spiritual lineage was connected with the tradition of Najm al-Din Kubra.According to accounts of Rumi’s early life, when he travelled with his father from Balkh and reached Nishapur, he encountered the celebrated mystic and poet Attar of Nishapur.
Attar is traditionally said to have recognized extraordinary spiritual potential in the young Rumi and predicted that he would one day transform the hearts of those devoted to God.Following the death of his father, Rumi became associated with Burhan al-Din Muhaqqiq Tirmidhi, a respected Sufi and former disciple of Baha al-Din Walad. Through this spiritual education, Rumi’s inner development continued to deepen.Later, Rumi himself became a spiritual guide to disciples including Salah al-Din Zarkub and Husam al-Din Chalabi.
Husam al-Din Chalabi played an important role in encouraging Rumi to compose the Masnavi, while Shams of Tabriz became the central inspiration behind the Divan of Shams.A Legacy Beyond BordersRumi died in 1273 CE, while Hafez died in 1390 CE. Yet their intellectual and spiritual influence continued long after their deaths.
Over the centuries, scholars, poets and mystics have written extensive commentaries and interpretations of the Masnavi and the Divan in numerous languages, including Persian, Turkish, English, German, Russian and Bengali.Through these translations, interpretations and studies, the influence of Rumi and Hafez has spread far beyond the Persian-speaking world.Their names have become familiar across both Eastern and Western literary and spiritual traditions.
Their works have inspired generations of scholars, writers and seekers who have looked beyond their poetry to explore questions concerning the human soul, divine love and the meaning of existence.Rumi and Hafez as Guides to LoveAt the heart of both Rumi’s and Hafez’s teachings is the idea that love can become a path toward the Divine.Their poetry invites readers to move beyond self-centredness and toward empathy, unity, harmony and spiritual awareness.
The relationship between the lover and the beloved becomes, in their mystical traditions, a metaphor for the human soul’s longing for its ultimate source.Rumi’s poetry presents the spiritual guide as a companion who walks beside the seeker through a difficult and uncertain path. This vision reflects his understanding of love not simply as an emotion, but as a force capable of transforming the individual.The enduring appeal of Rumi and Hafez lies precisely in this combination of accessibility and mystery.
Their words can speak to anyone about love, loss, longing and hope, while also inviting spiritually inclined readers to explore deeper questions that cannot easily be expressed through ordinary language.Their works remain among the most influential achievements of Persian literature.
The Masnavi and the Divan of Hafez continue to be read, studied, translated and interpreted across the world.Centuries after their deaths, Rumi and Hafez remain powerful symbols of spiritual inquiry and divine love—poets whose words continue to encourage humanity to look beyond the visible world and search for the deeper meaning within existence.
Discussion about this post