Rumi remembered as ‘uncrowned king of spirituality’
Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi, a 13th-century Sufi mystic, poet, philosopher, and theologian who was born on Sept 30, 1207. PHOTO: AA/FILE
Sufism perfumed the land of South Asia with knowledge of Maulana Rumi and spread light throughout the Islamic world, said Allama Iqbal Open University's Head of Urdu Department Dr Abdul Aziz Sahir.
He spoke at a seminar titled 'Maulana Rumi and his Era' as a key note speaker organised by the Iqbal chair of Tasawwuf and Muslim Thought, Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) Islamabad on Wednesday. Dr Sahir talked about Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi's life, the relation of Maulana Rumi and Shams and Maulana Rumi's services during the Crusades.
Dr Sahir further said that Maulana Rumi was one of the great scholars of jurisprudence and religion, but he was famous as a Sufi poet. At an early age, Maulana Rumi's fame spread and Shah e Rome Alauddin Kayqubad invited him to Rome. Accepting his invitation, Maulana Rumi visited Konya where his personality rose. Rumi was the uncrowned king of spirituality and having a great personality like Maulana Rumi is a matter of great honor and pride for the Muslim community.
Professor Muzaffar Ali Kashmiri chaired the seminar. He said that the poets and writers of the sub-continent are mostly Iranian, whose first pillar was Ferdowsi, second Saadi, third Hafiz and fourth pillar was Maulana Rumi. Iqbal Chair's Head Prof Fateh Malik congratulated the AIOU for establishing Iqbal chair.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 21st, 2022.