Rumi on the Living Earth: A Sufi Perspective

Abstract

Contrary to the modern scientists’ view, most Muslim scholars believe that the earth, or in a more general sense the universe, is alive. It is so, since, according to them, like a man, the earth (world) also has its own life principle. Ikhwan al-Safa’ called it the universal soul (al-nafs al-kullīyah), which, according to them, brought the universe to life. This article presents Rumi’s view on the world (earth) by, first, discussing his view on love (‘ishq) as the fundamental natural force that brought the world into life, capable of loving and being loved. Next, it is shown how this love caused the universe to move and develop gradually, in the manner of the so-called theory of evolution. Then discussed are the fundamental similarities and differences of Rumi’s evolutionary theory with other similar theories by Mulla Sadra, Charles Darwin and Henri Bergson. Finally, the human position in the universe is discussed so that we can reflect on what we, as God’s representative (khalīfah), should do to maintain and preserve the excellent qualities of our beloved earth.