Rumi’s immortality lies not only in his poetry, but also in his ability to bring peace to hearts, inspire reflection in minds, and remind people of their true essence. Any reader, at any time and place, can find silence in his words, see a light, and take new steps toward life.
Kobra (Shirin) Masoumi, who pursued her studies in India, in her note titled “The Secret of Rumi’s Ghazals’ Immortality in a Noisy World,” submitted for ISNA, addresses the theme of “Rumi in the Age of Social Media.”
“Rumi, with the language of love and the music of words, has transcended the boundaries of time and place, and even today, he maintains a strong presence in the heart of social media.”
Seven centuries have passed since Rumi’s death, yet his poetry remains alive and flowing. A quick glance at social media, whether Instagram, Twitter, or even messaging apps reveals verses and sayings attributed to him being shared daily. Amid the flood of short and often superficial messages, why has the voice of a 13th-century poet gained such wide popularity?
The secret to this endurance lies in the universality of Rumi’s language. Above all, he speaks of love, a love without borders that embraces all humanity. He speaks of separation and the longing for union, of pain and joy, of wonder and hope. These shared human experiences make his poetry meaningful and inspiring for readers of every culture and land.
At the same time, Rumi’s poetry is both simple and profound. Simple, in the sense that even a single line can serve as an inspiring message on a stressful day: a call to peace, to let go of selfishness, to trust in love. And profound, because the more one contemplates his ghazals, the more layers of meaning reveal themselves. This flexibility makes his poetry harmonize with the diverse needs of modern life.
Another key lies in the passion and inner music of Rumi’s words. He creates ghazals not only with vocabulary but with rhythm and a sense of dance. When his verses are read or heard, even those unfamiliar with Persian are touched by their cadence and fervor. This is why his works continue to be translated into multiple languages across the world, remaining widely read and bestselling to this day.
Perhaps less attention has been paid to the place Rumi has held in India and the subcontinent. From the medieval centuries onward, with the spread of Sufi orders, the Masnavi-ye Ma’navi and the Divan-e Shams became central sources of mystical teaching, not only in Iran and Konya but also in the Sufi lodges of the subcontinent. The Chishti and Naqshbandi orders used the Masnavi as a text for transmitting inner experience and spiritual knowledge.
During the Mughal era, interest in Rumi’s works grew even further. Emperor Akbar had a deep attachment to mystical literature, and reports suggest that Rumi’s Masnavi was among his favorite books. This period also witnessed the translation and reinterpretation of Rumi’s poetry by scholars and poets in the subcontinent, paving the way for his broader influence. In later centuries, great poets such as Allama Iqbal openly declared their debt to Rumi’s thought. Iqbal, in his poetry, repeatedly refers to him as “Pir Rumi,” seeing him as a guide capable of awakening the Muslim individual from a slumber of heedlessness.
Today, interest in Rumi’s ideas continues in India and Pakistan. Academic seminars, cultural programs, and new translations of the Masnavi and Divan-e Shams demonstrate that his poetry still inspires younger generations in these countries. This enduring presence shows that Rumi does not merely belong to history but remains alive in the spiritual and cultural lives of people.
Ultimately, Rumi’s immortality lies not only in his poetry, but in his ability to soothe hearts, awaken minds, and remind human beings of their true essence. Any reader, in any time and place, can find silence in his words, glimpse a light, and take new steps in life. That is why, 752 years on, Rumi is still alive—still reminding us that amid the world’s clamor, love and awareness are humanity’s eternal guides.
