The story of Shams Tabrizi and Jalaluddin Rumi is one of the most profound tales of spiritual friendship, transformation, and divine love in Sufi tradition. Their relationship is central to the development of Rumi’s poetry and his emergence as one of the greatest mystical poets of all time. Below is a detailed account of their story, drawn from historical and traditional sources, including Rumi’s own works, the accounts of his followers, and later Sufi narratives.
Background: Jalaluddin Rumi Before Shams
Jalaluddin Rumi (1207–1273), born in Balkh (modern-day Afghanistan), was a respected Islamic scholar, theologian, and jurist by the time he met Shams. His family fled the Mongol invasions, eventually settling in Konya, in present-day Turkey, under the Seljuk Sultanate. In Konya, Rumi became a prominent religious figure, teaching Islamic law (fiqh), delivering sermons, and leading a community of students. He was deeply rooted in traditional Islamic scholarship and followed the Hanafi school of jurisprudence.
Rumi’s life, though outwardly successful, was marked by an inner spiritual restlessness. Despite his knowledge, he sought a deeper connection with the divine, a yearning that would be fulfilled through his encounter with Shams Tabrizi.
Shams Tabrizi: The Wandering Dervish
Shamsuddin Mohammad, known as Shams Tabrizi (1185–1248), was a wandering Sufi mystic, born in Tabriz, Persia. Unlike Rumi, Shams was not a scholar in the conventional sense. He was a spiritual seeker, known for his intense devotion to God, unconventional behavior, and direct, unfiltered approach to truth. Shams was a disciple of various Sufi masters but claimed that his true teacher was the Prophet Muhammad, whom he saw in visions.
Shams was a polarizing figure—charismatic yet provocative, often challenging religious formalism and societal norms. He sought a spiritual companion who could match his intensity and reflect his divine love. According to tradition, Shams prayed to God to guide him to such a soul, and he was directed to Rumi in Konya.
The Meeting: A Transformative Encounter
The meeting of Shams and Rumi, traditionally dated to 1244, is one of the most legendary moments in Sufi history. There are various accounts of their first encounter, but a popular one describes it as follows:
Rumi was sitting by a fountain, surrounded by books, when Shams approached him and asked, “What are you doing?” Rumi, assuming Shams was an uneducated wanderer, replied, “Something you wouldn’t understand.” Shams then threw Rumi’s books into the water and asked, “What is this?” Rumi was shocked, but Shams retrieved the books, miraculously dry, and said, “This is what you must live, not just read.” This act symbolized the shift from intellectual knowledge to experiential, heart-based spirituality.
Another version recounts a conversation about the mystic Bayazid Bastami, where Shams challenged Rumi’s understanding of divine intimacy, sparking a profound spiritual awakening. Regardless of the exact details, their meeting was electric. Shams recognized Rumi as the spiritual companion he sought, and Rumi saw in Shams a mirror of divine beauty and truth.
The Bond: Spiritual Alchemy
After their meeting, Rumi and Shams became inseparable. They spent days, sometimes months, in spiritual retreat (chilla), engaging in deep conversations, mystical practices, and sama (whirling dance and music as a form of devotion). Shams introduced Rumi to the concept of divine love (‘ishq), where the lover, the beloved, and love itself merge in the divine unity. This was a radical departure from Rumi’s scholarly life, as he began to prioritize ecstatic devotion over formal teaching.
Shams acted as Rumi’s spiritual mirror, reflecting both his divine potential and his human flaws. Their relationship was not one of master and disciple in the traditional sense; rather, it was a mutual unveiling of the soul. Shams often said, “I am not your teacher; I am your friend,” emphasizing their equality in the pursuit of God.
Rumi’s transformation was profound. He abandoned his role as a preacher and began composing poetry, much of which was inspired by Shams. His verses, later collected in works like the Divan-e Shams-e Tabrizi (The Works of Shams of Tabriz), express longing, ecstasy, and the dissolution of the self in divine love. For Rumi, Shams was not just a person but a symbol of the Divine Beloved, as seen in lines like:
“Beyond Islam and unbelief, there is a desert plain / Where we meet, Shams and I, and neither remains.”
Conflict and Separation
The intensity of Rumi and Shams’ relationship caused tension in Konya. Rumi’s students and family felt neglected, as he devoted himself entirely to Shams. Some of Rumi’s followers resented Shams, viewing him as a disruptive influence who had “stolen” their teacher. Shams’ provocative personality and disregard for social norms further fueled their hostility.
In 1246, after about two years together, Shams abruptly left Konya, possibly due to threats or pressure from Rumi’s circle. Rumi was devastated, plunging into grief and composing heart-wrenching poetry about separation. He sent his son, Sultan Walad, to find Shams, who was eventually located in Damascus. Shams returned to Konya, and their reunion was joyous, but the underlying tensions persisted.
The Final Disappearance of Shams
In 1248, Shams vanished again, this time permanently. The circumstances of his disappearance remain a mystery. The most common account suggests that he was murdered by members of Rumi’s community, possibly including one of Rumi’s sons, Ala al-Din, who were jealous of his influence. Other traditions claim Shams left voluntarily or ascended spiritually, leaving no trace. No definitive evidence confirms any of these theories.
Rumi was inconsolable. He searched for Shams in Damascus and beyond, but eventually realized that Shams was not to be found in the external world. In a moment of mystical insight, Rumi understood that Shams had become part of him. He wrote:
“Why should I seek? I am the same as he. / His essence speaks through me. / I was looking for myself.”
This realization marked Rumi’s complete transformation. Shams had ignited the divine spark within him, and Rumi now channeled his love and longing into poetry, music, and the establishment of the Mevlevi Sufi order, known for its whirling dervishes.
Legacy of Their Relationship
The bond between Shams and Rumi is one of the most celebrated in mystical literature. Shams was the catalyst for Rumi’s metamorphosis from a scholar to a poet-saint, and Rumi immortalized Shams in his poetry, particularly the Divan-e Shams-e Tabrizi, a collection of over 40,000 verses. In these poems, Rumi often uses Shams’ name as a pseudonym for himself, reflecting their spiritual unity.
The Mevlevi Order, founded by Rumi’s followers after his death, institutionalized the practices of sama and whirling, which Shams had introduced to Rumi. The order spread Rumi’s teachings and poetry across the world, making him a universal symbol of love and spirituality.
Shams, though less documented, remains a towering figure in Sufism. His teachings, preserved in the Maqalat-e Shams (Discourses of Shams), reveal a direct, uncompromising approach to God, emphasizing love over ritual and inner truth over outward forms.
Themes and Symbolism
The story of Shams and Rumi is rich with spiritual themes:
- Divine Love (‘Ishq): Their relationship embodies the Sufi concept of love as a path to God, where the human beloved (Shams) becomes a reflection of the Divine Beloved.
- Transformation: Shams awakened Rumi’s latent mystical potential, turning a scholar into a poet of the heart.
- Unity of Being (Wahdat al-Wujud): Their bond illustrates the Sufi idea that all existence is one, and the lover and beloved merge in God.
- Separation and Longing: Shams’ disappearance fueled Rumi’s poetry, showing how longing (firāq) can deepen spiritual connection.
Historical and Cultural Impact
The story of Shams and Rumi has inspired countless works of literature, music, and art. In the West, Rumi’s poetry, often translated by poets like Coleman Barks, has made him one of the most popular poets in modern times. However, some scholars note that these translations often strip away the Islamic and Sufi context, presenting Rumi as a universal spiritual figure rather than a devout Muslim mystic.
Shams, though less known, is revered in Sufi circles as the “sun” (Shams means “sun” in Arabic) that illuminated Rumi’s soul. His tomb in Konya, near Rumi’s, is a site of pilgrimage.
Conclusion
The story of Shams Tabrizi and Jalaluddin Rumi is a testament to the transformative power of spiritual friendship and divine love. Shams was the spark that set Rumi’s soul ablaze, and Rumi’s poetry became the flame that continues to light the path for seekers worldwide. Their relationship transcends time, embodying the eternal quest for truth, love, and union with the Divine.
If you’d like specific excerpts from Rumi’s poetry inspired by Shams, details about the Maqalat-e Shams, or further analysis of their Sufi practices, let me know!
