# Shams Tabrizi

> spiritual instructor of Mewlānā Rumi

**Wikidata**: [Q796587](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q796587)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shams_Tabrizi)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/shams-tabrizi

## Summary
Shams Tabrizi was a 13th-century Persian mystic, poet, and philosopher best known as the spiritual instructor and mentor of the renowned Sufi poet Rumi. His profound influence on Rumi led to the creation of the *Diwan-e Shams-e Tabrizi*, a major collection of mystical poetry, and shaped the foundations of Sufi thought and practice.

## Biography
- Born: 1185, Tabriz, Persia (modern-day Iran)
- Nationality: Persian
- Education: Trained in Sufi traditions and Islamic mysticism
- Known for: Serving as the spiritual guide of Rumi and inspiring his poetic and mystical works
- Employer(s): Sufi communities, mentor to Rumi
- Field(s): Sufism, Islamic mysticism, poetry

## Contributions
Shams Tabrizi’s most significant contribution was his role as the spiritual instructor of Rumi, which directly led to the creation of the *Diwan-e Shams-e Tabrizi*, a collection of poems attributed to Rumi but named in honor of Shams. His teachings emphasized divine love, spiritual awakening, and the unity of existence, which became central themes in Rumi’s works. While no independent written works by Shams are widely recognized, his oral teachings and personal influence were instrumental in shaping Rumi’s poetry and the broader Sufi tradition.

## FAQs
**Who was Shams Tabrizi?**
Shams Tabrizi was a 13th-century Persian mystic and Sufi master best known as the spiritual instructor of Rumi, the celebrated poet and founder of the Mevlevi Order.

**What was Shams Tabrizi’s relationship with Rumi?**
Shams Tabrizi was Rumi’s spiritual mentor and guide, deeply influencing Rumi’s mystical poetry and philosophical outlook. Their relationship was so profound that Rumi named one of his major poetic collections, *Diwan-e Shams-e Tabrizi*, in honor of Shams.

**Where was Shams Tabrizi born?**
Shams Tabrizi was born in Tabriz, a city in Persia (modern-day Iran), in 1185.

**What is the *Diwan-e Shams-e Tabrizi*?**
The *Diwan-e Shams-e Tabrizi* is a large collection of poems by Rumi, named in honor of his spiritual instructor, Shams Tabrizi. The work reflects themes of divine love, spiritual longing, and Sufi philosophy.

**What was Shams Tabrizi’s role in Sufism?**
Shams Tabrizi was a key figure in Sufism, known for his teachings on divine love and spiritual unity. His influence on Rumi helped shape the Mevlevi Order and the broader tradition of Islamic mysticism.

## Why They Matter
Shams Tabrizi’s influence on Rumi and, by extension, Sufi literature and Islamic mysticism is immeasurable. His teachings inspired Rumi’s poetic and philosophical works, which have had a lasting impact on spiritual thought, literature, and culture worldwide. Without Shams’ guidance, Rumi’s *Diwan-e Shams-e Tabrizi* and other works might not have taken their iconic form, and the Mevlevi Order, with its whirling dervish rituals, might not have developed as it did. Shams’ legacy endures through Rumi’s poetry, which continues to be studied and revered across cultures.

## Notable For
- Serving as the spiritual instructor and mentor of Rumi, one of history’s most celebrated poets.
- Inspiring the creation of the *Diwan-e Shams-e Tabrizi*, a foundational work in Sufi literature.
- Shaping the themes of divine love and spiritual unity in Rumi’s poetry.
- Influencing the development of the Mevlevi Order, a major Sufi tradition.
- Being a central figure in the transmission of Sufi philosophy and Islamic mysticism.

## Body

### Early Life and Background
Shams Tabrizi was born in 1185 in Tabriz, a city in Persia (modern-day Iran). Little is known about his early life, but he is believed to have been trained in Sufi traditions and Islamic mysticism. His name, "Shams," means "sun" in Arabic, symbolizing his role as an illuminator of spiritual truth.

### Role as Rumi’s Spiritual Instructor
Shams Tabrizi is most renowned for his role as the spiritual guide of Rumi. Their meeting in 1244 marked a turning point in Rumi’s life, shifting his focus from scholarly pursuits to mystical poetry and spiritual exploration. Shams’ teachings emphasized the concepts of divine love, the unity of existence, and the dissolution of the ego, which became central themes in Rumi’s works.

### Influence on Rumi’s Works
Shams’ influence on Rumi is most evident in the *Diwan-e Shams-e Tabrizi*, a collection of poems named in his honor. This work, along with Rumi’s other major writings like the *Masnavi*, reflects the deep spiritual bond between the two figures. Shams’ teachings inspired Rumi to express complex mystical ideas through poetry, making Sufi philosophy accessible to a broader audience.

### Legacy and Impact
Though Shams Tabrizi did not leave behind a body of written work, his oral teachings and personal influence had a profound impact on Rumi and, through him, on Sufi literature and Islamic mysticism. His ideas continue to resonate in the works of the Mevlevi Order, which Rumi founded, and in the broader tradition of Sufi thought. Shams’ legacy is immortalized in Rumi’s poetry, which remains a cornerstone of spiritual and literary tradition worldwide.

### Disappearance and Mystique
Shams Tabrizi’s life is shrouded in mystery, particularly regarding his death. According to some accounts, he disappeared suddenly in 1248, possibly due to conflicts with Rumi’s disciples or other Sufi factions. His mysterious departure has only added to his mystique, reinforcing his image as a wandering mystic who left an indelible mark on spiritual history.

### Cultural and Historical Significance
Shams Tabrizi’s role in shaping Rumi’s poetry and Sufi thought has earned him a place of honor in Islamic mysticism. His teachings, though transmitted orally, have had a lasting influence on the development of Sufi philosophy and practice. Today, he is remembered as a pivotal figure in the spiritual journey of Rumi and as a symbol of the transformative power of divine love and spiritual guidance.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. International Standard Name Identifier
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. CERL Thesaurus
6. HMML Authority File