How Rumi Came to Konya

The arrival of Jalal al-Din Rumi in Konya marks a turning point not only in his personal journey but also in the spiritual history of Anatolia. Born in 1207 in the city of Balkh—now located in modern-day Afghanistan—Rumi was the son of Bahaeddin Walad, a renowned Islamic scholar known as the “Sultan of the Scholars.” As the Mongol invasions spread across Central Asia, Bahaeddin Walad and his family left their homeland in search of safety and stability.

Their journey took them through major cities of the Islamic world, including Nishapur, Baghdad, Mecca, and Damascus. Along the way, the young Rumi met several prominent scholars and mystics, including the famous Sufi poet Farid al-Din Attar, who is said to have recognized Rumi’s spiritual potential.

The family eventually arrived in Anatolia, then part of the Seljuk Sultanate. Around 1228–1231, they settled in Konya, at the invitation of Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad. At the time, Konya was a thriving cultural and political center. After his father’s death, Rumi succeeded him as a scholar and teacher.

Konya would become the city where Rumi’s teachings matured and where his spiritual philosophy took shape. It was here that he met Shams of Tabriz, a pivotal encounter that profoundly transformed his life and inspired his most famous works. Rumi remained in Konya until his death in 1273. Today, his tomb is located in the Mevlana Museum, one of the most visited spiritual sites in Turkey.

Rumi’s arrival in Konya set the stage for the development of a universal message of love, unity, and tolerance—one that continues to resonate with people around the world.