Selections from the Divan of Shams Tabrizi

Jalal al-Din Rumi, descendent of great jurists, left his famous, lavish position in issuing fatwas and his role as a scholar of Hanafi jurisprudence and various sciences to embrace Sufism, write poetry, and wander, dancing to the melodies of the flute. The world gained a Sufi poet whose fame spread far and wide to this day. Shams-i Tabrizi, the renowned Sufi poet, is considered the spiritual mentor of Mawlana Jalal al-Din Rumi, who founded the Mevlevi Order.
The first meeting between Shams-i Tabrizi and Mawlana Jalal al-Din Rumi took place in 1244 AD. Following this encounter, a friendship formed that changed the course of both their lives. They secluded themselves for forty days and emerged with the famous Forty Rules of Love.
There are two stories regarding Tabrizi's departure: it is said that he disappeared under mysterious circumstances, and it is also said that he was killed by some jealous students of Jalal al-Din Rumi, and that he has a shrine.
Rumi deeply grieved the departure of his master, friend, and beloved Tabrizi after searching for him for a long time without finding him. This grief, among other things, led to a divan (collection of poems) that Rumi named "Shams-i Tabrizi" or "The Great Divan."