Rumi Quotes to Inspire Your Soul

The Wisdom of Rumi

His poetry speaks the universal language of love, faith, and tolerance, and he has been hailed by numerous literary authorities as one of the greatest poets of all time. Jalal ad-din Muhammad Rumi’s words have rung out for more than 800 years, resonating with readers around the world and transcending all religions with his common themes of unity and faith in God’s will.

Millions turn to Rumi’s words for inspiration, strength, and peace. Rumi, a follower of the mystical Sufi branch of Islam, presented visions of the world centuries ago that hold true today. Whether you’re looking for a soul-inspiring image or for wisdom on human nature, Rumi’s poetry has something for you. We’ve chosen some of the most beautiful and wise Rumi quotes from our own virtual library to share with you

Love Gave Birth to Me

It is love that brings happiness to people. 
It is love that gives joy to happiness. 
My mother didn't give birth to me, that love did. 
A hundred blessings and praises to that love.

-- Rumi 

If You Wish for Light …

If you wish for light, be ready to receive light.
Nourish your ego and be deprived of light.
If you wish to find a way out of this prison,
do not turn away;
bow down in worship and draw near.

-- Mathnawi

hat Is Justice?

What is justice? Giving water to trees.
What is injustice? To give water to thorns.
Justice consists in bestowing bounty in its proper place,
not on every root that will absorb water.

 -- Mathnawi [V, 1089-1090]

The Mercy of God

Everyone can see the effects of God's mercy. But who, except God himself, understands the essence of his mercy? Most people cannot understand the essence of any of God's attibutes; they only know his attributes through their effects--and also through analogy. Only mystics have eyes to see the essence of God's attributes.

I Seek One

I am neither Christian, nor Jewish, nor Muslim. Doing away with duality, I saw the two worlds as one. I seek One, I know One, I see One, and I call One.

-- The Life and Thought of Rumi

Fear Is Nothing in the Sight of Love

In the sight of Love, fear isn't even as great as a single hair: 
in the law of Love, everything is offered as a sacrifice.

^{-- Mathnawi [V, 2184]}

The World Is a Test

The pleasures of this world are delightful 
from a distance before the actual test. 
From a distance they appear to be refreshing water, 
but when you approach them, you find they are a mirage. 
The world’s bait is visible, but the trap is hidden:

-- Mathnawi [VI, 316-317; 321]

Speak Honestly

Vain, boastful talk repels acts of kindness 
and tears the branch of mercy from the trunk of the tree. 
Speak honestly or else be silent, 
and then behold grace and delight in it.

The Benefits of Charity

Charity for God's sake has a hundred signs within the heart -- 
the good deed, a hundred tokens. 
Though in charity riches are consumed, 
a hundred lives come to the heart in return. 
A sowing of pure seeds in God's earth, and then no income! Impossible.

-- Mathnawi [IV, 1757-1759]

Why Prayers are Declined

Many prayers are declined because of the rank odor of a corrupt heart rising through the beautiful words. Let the words be wrong, but the meaning right. That flawed utterance is dearer to God.

-- The Life and Thought of Rum

Listen, stand up in prayer during the night, 
for you are a candle, 
and at night a candle stands and burns

Paradise Is Gained Through Repentance

By the mercy of God Paradise has eight doors — 
one of those is the door of repentance, child. 
All the others are sometimes open, sometimes shut; 
but the door of repentance is never closed. 
Come seize the opportunity: the door is open;

-- Mathnawi [IV, 2506-2508]