the story of Shamsuddin and Rumi
In the middle of the 13th Century, the revered scholar Jelaluddin Rumi was walking through the marketplace of Konya leading a group of his students when a man ragged and dusty from travel approached him. Their eyes met and locked with fierce but hazy recognition. The first words out of the traveler's mouth posed a question that would forever change both men's lives.
For years, a religious rebel named Shams of Tabriz had traveled from town to town quizzing every scholar he met. He was searching for a teacher but none had the answers he sought. While all quoted from books and scripture, no one spoke from the heart, from personal experience. Shams wanted to go beyond books to the heart of God, through the heart of man. Everywhere he went, the townspeople called him crazy, a blasphemer, and he pitied them. His searching took Shams to Konya, in what is now the country of Turkey. Upon encountering the famous scholar in the middle of the marketplace, Shams wasted no time in challenging Rumi. "Who is greater, the prophet Mohammed or the great teacher Betsami?"
Without hesitation Rumi answered, "of course, the prophet Mohammed."
Shams had to see what Rumi was made of, so he took his questioning one step further. "Betsami, the distinguished teacher, said 'I am great because God is within me,' whereas Mohammed said, 'God is great in His infinite mercy.' How would you explain this?"
Overcome by the personal significance of this question, Rumi fell to his knees. Shams had just unlocked a door deep within Rumi's soul. Even though he was considered one of the greatest scholars of his time, Rumi found little solace in his holy books. He had settled into life as a teacher but felt spiritually unfulfilled. Finding Shams was unexpected and astonishing. In that instant Rumi knew that no book could teach him what this soul could.
When Rumi regained his composure he answered Shams saying, "Betsami limited his understanding to one aspect of God's greatness. He was secure in what he
For years, a religious rebel named Shams of Tabriz had traveled from town to town quizzing every scholar he met. He was searching for a teacher but none had the answers he sought. While all quoted from books and scripture, no one spoke from the heart, from personal experience. Shams wanted to go beyond books to the heart of God, through the heart of man. Everywhere he went, the townspeople called him crazy, a blasphemer, and he pitied them. His searching took Shams to Konya, in what is now the country of Turkey. Upon encountering the famous scholar in the middle of the marketplace, Shams wasted no time in challenging Rumi. "Who is greater, the prophet Mohammed or the great teacher Betsami?"
Without hesitation Rumi answered, "of course, the prophet Mohammed."
Shams had to see what Rumi was made of, so he took his questioning one step further. "Betsami, the distinguished teacher, said 'I am great because God is within me,' whereas Mohammed said, 'God is great in His infinite mercy.' How would you explain this?"
Overcome by the personal significance of this question, Rumi fell to his knees. Shams had just unlocked a door deep within Rumi's soul. Even though he was considered one of the greatest scholars of his time, Rumi found little solace in his holy books. He had settled into life as a teacher but felt spiritually unfulfilled. Finding Shams was unexpected and astonishing. In that instant Rumi knew that no book could teach him what this soul could.
When Rumi regained his composure he answered Shams saying, "Betsami limited his understanding to one aspect of God's greatness. He was secure in what he