Rumi, also known as Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, was a 13th-century Persian poet, mystic, and scholar. He is widely recognized as one of the most influential and beloved Sufi masters of all time. But how did Rumi become a Sufi?

Rumi was born in 1207 in the city of Balkh, in present-day Afghanistan. His father, Baha' ud-Din Walad, was a renowned scholar and Sufi master, and Rumi grew up in a household that was deeply immersed in Sufi teachings and practices. From a young age, Rumi was exposed to the mystical and spiritual traditions of Islam, and he showed a natural inclination towards them.

At the age of 25, Rumi's life took a dramatic turn when he met a wandering dervish named Shams al-Din Tabrizi. Shams was a Sufi mystic and scholar who had a profound impact on Rumi's spiritual journey. He became Rumi's spiritual mentor and guide, and their intense friendship and spiritual connection transformed Rumi's life completely.

Under Shams' guidance, Rumi delved deeper into the teachings and practices of Sufism. He began to study and practice the rituals of Sufi mysticism, such as meditation, chanting, and whirling, which are all aimed at attaining a state of spiritual ecstasy and union with the divine. Rumi also studied the works of other Sufi masters and poets, such as Attar and Sanai, and incorporated their teachings into his own spiritual practice.

Shams' sudden and mysterious disappearance in 1247 deeply affected Rumi, and he went through a period of intense grief and longing for his beloved mentor. It was during this time that Rumi's spiritual insights and poetic expressions reached new heights. He used his poetry as a means to express his love and longing for the divine, and his words resonated deeply with people from all walks of life.

Rumi's fame as a Sufi master and poet spread far and wide, and he attracted a large following of students and disciples. He founded the Mevlevi Order, also known as the Whirling Dervishes, which continues to this day and is dedicated to spreading the teachings of Sufism through music, dance, and poetry.

In conclusion, Rumi became a Sufi through a combination of his upbringing in a Sufi household, his encounter with Shams al-Din Tabrizi, and his own spiritual journey and dedication to Sufi practices and teachings. His profound love and longing for the divine, as expressed through his poetry, continue to inspire and guide people on their own spiritual paths.