The Death of Mevlana

The description of Mevlana during his final days is as follows: He had crescent- shaped open eyebrows, and his large hazel eyes, with a colour between yellow and black, were so sharp and captivating that no one could withstand his gaze.

One day, while in the bath, he looked at his frail body with pity and remarked, "Throughout my life, I have never felt ashamed in front of anyone, but today I am ashamed of this weak body."

Suddenly, he fell ill.

The two renowned doctors of the Seljuk palace, Physician Mevlana Ekmeleddin and Gazanfer, were in attendance.

Yet, he never lost his consciousness, memory, or the ability to be treated.

The great patient consoled those around him, saying, "Do not grieve for me; our illness is nothing but a reason to separate from this world." 

MEVLANA'S FINAL GHAZAL

Mevlana looked at him with aged eyes and, in a weak voice, said, "Bahauddin! Today I feel a bit better; go, rest!" As Sultan Veled left the room with a moved heart, Mevlana recited his final ghazal, and Hüsameddin Çelebi recorded it with tears:

Go! Lay your head on the pillow.

Leave this wretched one who writhes in agony alone. We, the waves of love, struggle and strive through the long winter nights. If you wish, bestow your grace with a smile; if you wish, depart and inflict suffering. There is no need to keep promises for the king of the beautiful faces."

Oh faded lover, be patient; be faithful.

The one who kills us has a heart as hard as stone. The one who kills us does not suggest any remedy for the price of our blood. There is no solution to this pain other than to die; so how can I say, 'Cure this pain!'?"

Last night, I saw an old man in the neighbourhood of love in my dream. He pointed to me with his head and said, 'Come to our side.'

Even if there are dragons on this path, drive away the dragon with the brightness of that emerald!

It's enough now! I am unconscious. If you want to show your skill, tell the history of Ebu Ali Sina; talk about the admonition of Abu al-Ala al-Ma'arri!"

This became Mevlana's final ghazal. Mevlana passed away on December 17, 1273, the fifth Sunday of Jumada al-Akhir of the year 672 in the Hijri calendar, while speaking words of truth and wisdom.

Mevlana's admirers considered that night not as a night of separation but as a night of union. For this reason, they named that night "Şeb-i Arus" (The Night of Union) and celebrated it in their ceremonies.

Because, as Mevlana said: "When they pass my bier after my death, do not think that I am concerned with the troubles of this world. When you see my funeral: Do not cry as 'Separation! Separation!' My true meeting with my beloved is at that time.

"When they lay me in the grave, do not say, 'Farewell! Farewell!' because the grave is a veil behind which there is the tranquillity of paradises."

Mevlana knew this well: "God created me from the wine of love. Even if death crushes me, I will still be that love."