Hazrat Shams Tabriz: The Mystic Who Transformed Rumi
Hazrat Shams Tabriz (RA) (1185–1248 CE) was a mystical Sufi saint, spiritual teacher, and poet known primarily as the spiritual guide and beloved companion of Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi. His teachings, wisdom, and influence were so profound that they transformed Rumi from a conventional Islamic scholar into one of the greatest Sufi poets of all time.
Shams Tabriz remains an enigmatic figure in Sufism, revered for his deep love for Allah, unconventional methods of spiritual teaching, and the divine spark he ignited in Rumi. His spiritual philosophy emphasized pure love, divine intoxication, and annihilation of the self (Fanaa) in God.
Even though he left behind no written works, his sayings and teachings were recorded by Rumi’s disciples in the book “Maqalat-e-Shams” (Discourses of Shams Tabriz).
Early Life and Spiritual Journey
1. Birth and Early Life
Shams Tabriz was born around 1185 CE in Tabriz (present-day Iran). From an early age, he was inclined toward spirituality, divine love, and seeking the truth beyond formal religious knowledge.
2. Search for the Divine Truth
Despite being trained in Islamic sciences, he found traditional scholarship insufficient in his quest for true spiritual enlightenment. His intense devotion to Allah led him to travel across different lands in search of the purest form of divine love.
3. The Wandering Dervish
Shams Tabriz never stayed in one place for too long. He wandered from city to city, interacting with scholars, Sufis, and mystics, but found that most were bound by formal religious knowledge and rituals rather than the ecstatic love of Allah.
He longed for a spiritual companion—someone who could understand his mystical depth. This longing would soon lead him to his destined meeting with Maulana Rumi.
Meeting with Rumi: A Divine Connection
In 1244 CE, Shams Tabriz arrived in Konya (present-day Turkey) and met Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi, who was then a renowned Islamic scholar and jurist. Their meeting is one of the most famous spiritual encounters in history.
1. The First Encounter
It is said that when Shams Tabriz met Rumi, he asked him a profound question:
“Who is greater: the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) or the Sufi saint Bayazid Bastami?”
Rumi, surprised, replied, “Of course, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is greater.”
Shams then explained, “Then why did Bayazid say, ‘Glory be to me, how exalted is my state,’ while the Prophet ﷺ always remained humble?”
This question deeply shook Rumi. He realized that Shams possessed a divine knowledge that went beyond books and scholarly debates.
2. The Transformation of Rumi
From that moment, Rumi became absorbed in the love and wisdom of Shams Tabriz. He abandoned his traditional teachings and spent days and nights in spiritual companionship with Shams, engaging in deep mystical conversations and spiritual practices.
This intense bond led to:
- Rumi’s spiritual awakening
- The birth of his mystical poetry
- His transformation from a scholar to a Sufi master
Shams became the mirror in which Rumi saw his own divine potential. Their companionship lasted for about three years, after which Shams mysteriously disappeared.
The Mysterious Disappearance of Shams Tabriz
1. The Jealousy of Rumi’s Disciples
Rumi’s intense devotion to Shams caused jealousy among his students and family, who felt neglected. It is believed that:
- Some of Rumi’s disciples conspired against Shams.
- Shams disappeared suddenly—either murdered or left voluntarily.
2. Rumi’s Grief and Spiritual Evolution
Shams’ disappearance devastated Rumi, but it also led him to express his love and longing through poetry.
- Rumi searched for Shams everywhere but later realized:
“Shams was within me all along.” - His poetry became an outpouring of divine love, mystical longing, and self-annihilation in God.
- He dedicated thousands of verses in the Masnavi and Divan-e-Shams-e-Tabriz, making Shams immortal through his poetry.
Teachings and Philosophy of Shams Tabriz
Shams Tabriz’s teachings were bold, unconventional, and deeply mystical. He rejected superficial religious knowledge and emphasized direct experience with God.
1. Love is the Ultimate Path
Shams believed that intellectual knowledge alone is useless without divine love. He taught that:
- Real knowledge comes from the heart, not just books.
- Love burns away ego, pride, and worldly attachments.
- To find God, one must lose oneself in love (Fanaa).
2. Annihilation of the Self (Fanaa Fil Allah)
Shams believed that true seekers must:
- Die before they die—meaning, let go of ego and worldly desires.
- Surrender completely to divine love.
3. Breaking Free from Formalism
He criticized those who blindly followed rituals without experiencing the essence of spirituality. He encouraged:
- Freedom from rigid dogmas
- A personal connection with Allah beyond rituals
4. Silence and Introspection
Shams often emphasized:
- Silence as a means to understand divine secrets.
- Looking within instead of seeking outward knowledge.
His teachings greatly influenced Rumi’s concept of divine love and Sufi mysticism.
Shams Tabriz in Rumi’s Poetry
Rumi’s “Divan-e-Shams-e-Tabriz” is a poetic masterpiece dedicated to his beloved teacher. Some famous lines:
“Do not seek me in human form,
I am inside your soul.”
“What you seek is seeking you.”
“The moment I heard my first love story,
I started looking for you,
Not knowing how blind that was.
Lovers don’t finally meet somewhere.
They are in each other all along.”
These verses reflect Rumi’s deep love, longing, and realization that Shams was not just a person but a divine presence within him.
The Legacy of Shams Tabriz
1. Shrine of Shams Tabriz
Shams Tabriz’s shrine is located in Khoy, Iran, where many devotees visit for blessings.
2. Influence on Sufism
His teachings deeply influenced Rumi, whose poetry has inspired millions across the world, making Shams Tabriz an eternal figure in Islamic mysticism.
3. Spiritual Message Still Relevant Today
Shams’ message of love, surrender, and inner transformation continues to inspire spiritual seekers. His bold approach to divine truth reminds us that true knowledge is found in the heart, not just in books.
Conclusion
Hazrat Shams Tabriz was a divine flame who ignited the fire of love and truth in Rumi’s heart, changing the course of Sufi history. His legacy lives on in Rumi’s poetry, the hearts of Sufi seekers, and the mystical path of divine love.
His message is simple yet profound:
“Do not seek God in temples or books—seek Him in your own heart, for He is closer than you think.”
May Allah bless his soul and grant us the wisdom to seek the divine within. Ameen.