Wajeeha Bilal
We all possess a centered place of wisdom, affection and stability within us but
the truth is that we all swing away from that place, from time to time. In life
it is essential that we acquire a path adjusting device for our balance that can
guide us back to our purpose.
There are many models of faith, beliefs and convictions who offer different
experiences in life and then there is the way of a man who has love for his
Creator, and everything created by Him. He finds everything around him to be an
expression of that love and compassion. One such model is the great mystic poet,
Maulana Rumi, whose six-volume “Masnavi” is a collection of inspirational verses
and one of the most influential works of mysticism.
The world is familiar with Rumi and his works. I would like to share my own
experience of being one of those who keenly wished to visit his city.I remember
visiting his tomb as a child while living in Turkey, but at that time I had no
idea of what the religion of love and compassion was really about. It wasn’t
till I grew up and started exploring life’s real purpose, that I realized the
power of living with compassion. Life will definitely have an impact onyou if
you are in search of truth and its experience flows through you like the light
of knowledge. Every time I read about great thinkers and their works, I would
think of the time I had gone to Maulana’s mausoleum as a child, and wanted to
experience that once again, but this time fully aware of my presence at this
respectable place. Reading through his poetry has always been like walking with
a navigation of verses to guide us.
This time while visiting Turkey, I planned to visit Konya, too, and I was glad
that life had given me this opportunity to pay homage to this great poet that I
admire so much. I heard that once you visit the Maulana’s tomb in Konya, you are
bound to go there seven times or as people say that Rumi calls you seven times
if you go to visit him once. Well, that’s definitely a fun saying made by his
followers or something my brother makes sure everyone abides by, but I really
enjoyed it because I would love to go there again and experience the presence of
love and affection.
Standing there I felt like it is not only the city that is dedicated to him, but
you can see his influence throughout the country where the people are the
politest and respectful. I had lived in Turkey as a child and still love going
there due to the love and respect that people have, which is only a strong
conviction of the fact that “the religion of love and unity is beyond all
faiths.” Rumi died on December 17, 1273. He had been a devout Muslim for all his
life, praying five times and keeping all the required fasts while writing about
belief in a “religion of love” that crosses over traditional boundaries of the
faith system.
I reflected on how Rumi’s message of love and peace offers a life of love and
purity while the faiths that enforce violence in the name of religion only to
spread terror, have nothing to offer other than hate and fear. Through my
reflection I have come to realize the power of words in uniting or dividing the
humankind and commit to doing the former.One of the most beautiful expressions
of love that I found in Turkey was the plantation of trees by the Turkish
government atthe Kecioren Park memorial site inKartaltepe. Trees are planted to
honour the martyrs of Peshawar School (16thDecember 2014 terrorist act). I feel
compelled to share this because it is merely unfortunate that there is no
mention of this worthy forest on Google or any other social network. At least
not one that I could find easily while every other tiny jiff can be googled
easily.
Rumi gave his followers instructions to treat the night of his death like a
joyous night of union. For Rumi, the presence of the performers specified that
the deceased was both a Muslim and a lover of his Creator. But there were also
Jewish rabbis reciting psalms, and Christian priests reading from the Gospels at
Rumi’s funeral. It was clear that Rumi had become a well-respected figure within
other holy communities. Rumi’s poetry that is largely tolerant of all people and
other faiths still continues to touch hearts across the world.“When we are dead,
seek not our tomb in the earth, but find it in the hearts of men.”
Allama Iqbal is not only our national poet but one of my favourites, too, and
the inspiration that Iqbal derived from Rumi is mirrored in his work
‘Pir-o-Mureed' (1935). It is a dialogue between Iqbal and Rumi written in both
Urdu and Persian, and in one of the verses, Iqbal (mureed) says to Rumi (pir),“You,
the leader of the lovers of God; I do remember your exalted words.”The earnest
form of love for Rumi, as a mystic, involves escape from the self-centered whims
of the ego. His inspiring words remind us how poetry can be a nourishing part of
everyday life.
For me Rumi’s divine literature is a strong testimony of the powerful impact
that words and poetry can have in our lives and on our souls.So, we need to
share a purposeful life with your friends and family to create unity and
awareness.
(Wajeeha is author of “The Conscious Ego” and “The Beautiful Present”)