Every  December 17, the night of Mevlana’s death, thousands of people from all around the world gather at the magnificient 13th century Mevlana Mausoleum to celebrate Seb-i Arus, his ‘Wedding Day’, his reunion with his Beloved, with the Divine.

Watch Video of Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi’s poems:

Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi Balkhi was a 13th century Muslim Sufi saint. After so many centuries his message of Love is being rediscovered and spread by people around the world.

Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi Balkhi or as commonly known as Rumi has written a few books, among them is his famous Masnavi in Persian language. His main theme in his books are Love of Allah(god), which made him love humanity, nature and everything good.

In his burning in the flame of love he has written many poems and couplets. The Love of Allah was ignited in his heart by his spiritual teacher(Murshid/ Shaikh) Shams e Tabrizi who took Rumi as his only student(seeker/ salik) throughout his life.

To this day Rumi’s spiritual tradition continues known as Mevlavi Spiritual Order of Islamic Sufism( similar to Naqshbandia, Qadriya, Chistia, Soharwardia, Naqshbandiah Owaisiah spiritual orders), they are also known as whirling dervishes.

Rumi’s message is of Love, which people need the most in these days. There is great wisdom in his poetry and his message of Love is for all.

During his last hours his wife pleaded with Mevlana to not leave and ask God to let him stay here a little longer. Mevlana’s reply was thus:

Am I a thief?
Have I stolen someone’s goods?
Is this why you would confine me here and keep me from being rejoined with my Love?

So we see his opinion of death. It is the time of release from this cage of the body; the time when the bird of the soul flies free. But it is thus for the soul which has realized the Divine within and has become purified of all earthly desires. For those on the path of Mevlana, Seb-i Arus is a celebration, like a festival of the beauties being offered every moment to the Lovers of God.

According to Mevlana’s teachings, human beings are born twice, once of their mothers and the second time of their own bodies. The real birth is the second, spiritual birth. Mevlevi dervishes, guided by a spiritual leader, are expected to live as members of the Mevlevi Order, according to the principles of his teaching. A long period of spiritual progress is necessary before they can participate in the whirling dance, for which they wear a tall cap symbolizing the tomb of carnality, and a white robe which is its shroud.

Those who live this celebration every year and also those experiencing it for the first time, were given at least a taste of the beauties and wonders of loving God, of wanting to be with God eternally.