Rabbani Sufi Institute of Indonesia

As narrated by Sultan of Saints Quthubul Ghawts Mawlana Syaikh Muhammad Nazim Adil Al Qubrusi An Naqshbandi Al Haqqani represented by Mawlana Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani An Naqshbandi Al Haqqani Ar Rabbani.

Shaykh Hisham Kabbani was showing us about how Sayyidina Abu Bakar Shiddiq doing Whirling

Upon hearing this conversation, Sayyidina Abu Bakar Shiddiq RA(1) who turned out to be disturbed by the same questions coming from the Arabic Baduy, asked the Sayyidina Rasulullah SAW, “O, Sayyidina Rasulullah SAW, will Love alone suffice? Then Sayyidina Rasulullah SAW answered “ The main thing is Love!” Hearing this reply, Sayyidina Abu Bakar Shiddiq ra’s heart bloomed. He was so happy that he whirled his robe. It is this exact movement which is developed by Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi into the moves of Whirling Dervishes.

After that, the dance reemerged a couple of centuries later, which was performed by Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi, a sufi who felt an almost similar love to his master Mawlana Syamsuddin At-tibrizi, or Syams-i-Tabriz, later this dance was developed by Mawlawiyah Order or Mevlevi Order, until it becomes its current form performed across the globe.

Even though this dance discerns subtle meanings and high spiritual essence, but nowadays this dance seems to have lost its meaning. It becomes a mere entertainment for the eye. But due to its deep historical bearings, this dance always succeeds in capturing beholders. Therefore we make some attempts to reveal the secret and true essence of this dance.

Islam is a religion of peace. This could be traced from its traditions and teachings, -which tend to have been forgotten and left, one of which is the Whirling Dervish dance, a dance performed in the name of Love, with Love and to deliver Love.

Whirling Dervish dance could captivate everyone, whether those who are Muslim or non-Muslim, since its beautiful whirling can move the heart through the spiritual touch implied within. In the current era, when Islam is deemed as the terrorist religion and no longer believed as a religion that brings of peace such as taught by Sayyidina Rasulullah Muhammad SAW. This digression triggers our spirit to reveal the True Nature of the religion which is full of Love and Compassion, through many ways to achieve peace reigning in everyone’s heart. Just like Islam which does not expand through one way only, but many, and so does the art that speaks in the name of Divine Love.

The dance is named Mevlevi Sema Ceremony or more familiar as Sema (in Arabic means ‘listening’; or referring to broader context, means moving in joy while listening to musical tones and whirling along with how the universe revolve). In the West, this dance is known as “Whirling Dervishes” and categorized as divine dances.

Mevlevi Sema Ceremony has also been acknowledged by oleh UNESCO as one of the greatest and priceless work of vernacular tradition. Rumi and Whirling Dervishes: is one gust of breath, just like Rumi and his poems. Goethe named Rumi as The greatest mystic poet of the world.

The persona of Rumi needs not to be disputed anymore. With a sound influence after 800 hundred years of his departure, he is surely one extraordinary human being. William Dalrymple wrote when US citizens were petrified by the horror of Bin Laden, that the highest selling number for poetry during the 90s was not written by US great writers such as Robert Frost, or Robert Lowell, and also not classic European giant such as Shakespeare, Homer, Dante; but the works of Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi. Meanwhile, Rumi defined himself ‘simply’ as:

To date the name Rumi is well known in the West. Some communities there have even formed Sema groups, holding regular gathering and dancing Whirling Dervishes. These communities are located in some European countries such as Switzerland, Germany, The Netherlands as well as in United States.

Are they Moslem? Certainly they are, because most of Whirling dancers are Moslem. These communities apply Rumi’s teaching of humanity based on God and Love as a religion. The Sufism that they hold is a kind of liberal Sufism, not in the context of Islamic teachings and practices. For them, Rumi is a figure that opens their heart sight that human being and the whole civilization is just a speck of dust before God.

In conjunction with that, the Islam liberalists also tend to glorify Rumi as a true pluralist. They conform to the wisdom of fighters for pluraslism such as John Hick—a religion pluralist, who repeatedly quoted Rumi’s words : “ The lamps may be different but the light is the same, coming from the same source…”

Sometimes Rumi’s arguments and words is used by liberal Islam to make hujjah(2) that religion pluralism is a portend that is not against Islamic teachings. Of course this hujjah is made to tackle arguments coming from the opposite side of the liberalist.

On the contrary, for those who are rather conservative (apart from salaf followers), often accuse the liberalist perspective of twisting Rumi’s work for their ideological interest only. Rumi and his whole work could only be understood in the context of Al-Qur'an and Hadist. Rumi when separated from his Islam is no different to Kahlil Gibran.

Samâ' is no ordinary dance, it is a dance that holds spiritual concept. Samâ' can be defined as an intuitive method to guide individuals to open one’s soul path towards God. When common sense fail to achieve God, then this method is used. Through samâ' , the dervishes make a mystical and spiritual journey(3) towards perfection, to dissolve their soul with God (4). By removing ego, getting closer to truth and arriving at the gate of perfection.

Then they will return as someone with higher level of perfection, so that they can spread love to all of God’s being without discriminating faith or race.

In his book entitled Sufism: A Short Introduction, William C. Chittick explained that the purpose of samâ' is to strengthen dzikir(5) to God while burning the fire that scorched everything except Him. To samâ' dancer, music is a secret language, the signs of God that shines and can be heard. Upon hearing the secret language, the soul could recall his original dwelling, which is hari alastu, where God made an agreement with Adam and his descendants, by saying, “Alastu bi rabbikum?”. “Am I not your God?”, and replied by: “ Yes! we are the witness.” (QS. 7:172)

At least there are three important elements that become samâ' characteristics: mind, heart (through expression of feeling, poetry and music), and body (by moving life through spinning).

There exist a hidden secret in samâ'. Music and dance, each of them keeps spiritual content. The music accompaniment is a medium to stimulate the soul desire to evoke God, that can bring of the human being to the state of dzauk (a state where human being feel an overbearing love to God, so enormous that they long to meet Him), towards their own origin in ‘nothingness’. And one part of the musical composition that until now is still believed as the beautiful and sacred verses of Sayyidina Rasulullah SAW is Nay, an instrument categorized as one of the most original and oldest in the East. There are many stories surrounding this musical instrument, such as told by Feriduddin Attar. The writer cum poet known for his book “Mantiku’l-Tayr” tell us a story that one day Sayyidina Rasulullah SAW told his son in law Sayyidina Ali ra about the secret of dzikir; near to a well. After Sayyidina Rasulullah SAW left, Sayyidina Ali ra bent down and retold the secret of dzikir Huu into the well. The echo coming from the well reverberate the sound of dzikir Huu into layers so beautiful to hear. Due to that reason, Allah SWT created a kind of plant similar to bamboo, with longer and thinner stems which grow inside to the well. A few moments later, a shepherd passed by the well and found the plant. He cut the upper part of the plant and made a blowing musical instrument which he named as Nay. One day the shepherd encountered Sayyidina Rasulullah SAW and blew his Nay. While most people enjoyed the sound of Nay as music, to Sayyidina Rasulullah SAW, the sound of Nay was the secret He once told to His son in law. Realizing this, Sayyidina Ali felt deep gratitude for his love and loyalty to Sayyidina Rasulullah SAW.

From a scientific point of view, everything that exist within the universe is composed of atomic particles. Each atom consist of electron revolving around the nexus. If we tie it to a bigger context, actually all things in the universe is in the state of revolution. In essence, human being is revolving since the atoms in his body moves the cell to circulate the blood. Human life also runs in cycles. From earth, to several phases of life and return to earth. Planets are also moves in revolution to the sun.

In samâ', the body rotates as electrons tawaf (encircle) its nexus toward the Almighty. The harmonization with the revolving universe, from the smallest cell to solar system discern the existence of The Creator. Think about His creation, be grateful and pray “To tasbih toward the God to what exist in heavens and earth; only Allah who posses all kingdom and prayers, and He is All Powerful to everything and beyond .” QS. 64:1.

Turkey or Konya is the city where Mawlana Jalaludin Rumi started his teachings. It is here also the Thariqat Mawlawiyah burgeon. Jalaludin Rumi gained the name “Rumi” from this city, which was formerly called “Rum” or currently more known as “ Rome ”. Until today, whirling dance still flourish in Turkey and become one of the historical heritage of this nation..

Samâ', the sacred dance first developed by Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi (1207-1273), the great poet-sufi from Persia is a ritual performed by dancers to channel the unification between being and the Creator. This ceremony contains adab that symbolize the meaning of Love coming from the believers to their Master.

It was told that one morning, an ironmaster who is also a dervish named Shalahuddin Faridun Zarkub was casting his work. The casting sound then prompted Rumi to dance until he reached ecstasy, and mysteriously mystical teachings in form of poem were coming out of his mouth.

Afterwards, Shalahuddin was appointed as Khalifah (representative) by Rumi to replace Syams’s position, as a medium to express his ideas and feelings. After it has developed into a community, Rumi often performed this dance after shalat Isya in the streets of Konya, which was followed by other dervishes. It was usually completed with a session for Al-Quran sacred texts reading.

For Rumi, dancing is Love. And he will not stop dancing as he will not stop loving God.. Until the evening of 17 December 1273 came, when he was summoned back by The Almighty, surrounded with the Divine Love.

After the death of Rumi, Maulawiyah Order (along with samâ'-nya ritual) continue under the leadership of Syaikh Husamuddin Hasan bin Muhammad, one of his best friend, who was appointed by Rumi as khalifah after Shalahuddin’s death. Husamuddin was the one who motivated and inspired him in making Matsnâwî, Rumi’s mágnum opus. The book includes six volumes and contained 25.000 verses of stanza.

“If you wrote a book like Sana'i‘s Ilahiname or Fariduddin Attar’s Mantiq at-Thayr, then you will draw interest from street singers. They will feel their heart with what you wrote and music will be composed as accompaniments”, suggested Husamuddin to Rumi in a vineyard of Meram outside the city of Kenya. It was with Husamuddin, the Matsnâwî is created. This monumental work is later known as Kitab-i Husam (The Book of Husam Husam).

Enchanted by the content of the book, an Englishmen who is an expert of Asia culture (Middle East& Far East) named R.A Nicholson –who spent his entire life working on Rumi’s work– said that Matsnâwî is a vast river which is calm and deep, flowing through many various planes towards a unlimited ocean. In the eyes of Rumi’s follower Matsnâwî is considered a s the elaboration of Al-Quran spiritual meaning. While Abdurahman Jami –a Persian poet– called him “Al-Quran in Persian language.”

In the third chapter Matsnâwî explain about the mortality of samâ'. “When the drum is hit, simultaneously feelings of ecstasy gushing through like foam melting from the wave.” sung Rumi.

After Husamuddin passed away, tariqah Mawlawiyah continues under the leadership of Rumi’s eldest son Sultan Walad. In his son’s hand, the tarekat becomes better organized, so that his father’s teaching spread out through continents.

Mawlawiyah Order in the West, or better known as ‘The Whirling Dervishes' took the name from the group’s main character. Aside from Europe, now Mawlawiyah Order has expanded to America as well as Asia continent.

For centuries, Samâ' performance has succeeded to garner attention from spiritual explorers, which resulted in some important writings. In his book called Islamic Art and Spirituality, Seyyed Hossein Nasr said that samâ' is commenced with a nostalgia of Tuhan, and continued with constant revelation of heavenly bliss and completed with an ecstatic experience (fana' ), diffusing with Al-Haqq(7).

Rumi mentioned samâ' as a symbol of cosmos, a dancing mystery. The revolving body is a copy of the universe, just like the rotating planets. The expanding hands symbolically mark how the hidayah (guidance) of Allah is accepted by the right hand and is being transmitted to the others using the left hand. This whole process represents submission and unification with God.

Each atom dances on the earth and in the air
Be perfectly aware, how it endlessly twirls there
Each atom, be they happy or gloomy,
The revolving sun is the supreme ecstasy

Rumi

Shalawat is sung, the dream is beaten, and the Nay flute is blown. A group of dervishes wear similar costumes. A high-hat, a huge robe, a white outfit, with wider lower part like skirts, and without footwear. They bend down their bodies to pay homage, and then take off their robes. They put their hands of the chest, crisscrossing holding the other’s shoulder. In the center is a Syaikh, acting as the leader, still wearing the black robe. He takes a step forward and takes his position. Now it is his turn to pay respect to the other dervishes. They also reply him with the same gesture.

Then the groups of dervishes move into a formation. One by one they step forward. After the leader gave his blessing, the ritual begins.

The move turns faster by the minute, in synch with the tap of the accompanying rhythm. Those eyes turn drowsy, half-closed. Their head tilted to one side of the shoulder. As the movements turn faster, the white skirts they are wearing bloom like an open umbrella. These people become more absorbed, creating a magic atmosphere.

The drum has yet to stop, ney(8) still flutters in majesty. Without no sign from the ritual leader to stop, they will continue to bounce in ecstasy.
The hand position expanding, reflecting how the hidayah (guidance) of Allah is accepted by the right hand and is being transmitted to others using the left one. This whole process represents submission and unification with God.

Samâ' is not just a simple dance but a dance that contain spiritual meaning. Samâ' can be considered as guide for individuals to open one’s soul path towards God. When common sense fail to achieve God, then this method is used.

In Samâ', the body rotates as electrons tawaf (encircle) its nexus toward the Almighty. The harmonization with the revolving universe, from the smallest cell to solar system discerns the existence of The Creator. Think about His creation, be grateful and pray “To glorified toward the God to what exist in heavens and earth; only Allah who posses all kingdom and prayers, and He is All Powerful to everything and beyond.” QS. 64:1.

In the final part, the leader stands up. The sound drumbeat turns faster in accordance with the increasing speed of the whirling. Then the music and dance stops as soon as the Syaikh gives his mark. The performance ends without applause because it is not an art performance.
By revolving anti-clockwise, the dancers embrace humanity with love. Human being is created by Love to love. ”All love is the bridge to Love. Whoever failing to feel it would not understand it” as Rumi said.

Rumi’s tomb in Konya is managed by Turkish governments as tourism destination. Each year, especially during December 2-17, thousands of pilgrims from across the world visit the tomb, watching the Maulawi whirl to commemorate the “Reunification night”, the night when the beloved guru passed away.

Like a wave above the twist of my head,
in this sacred face, You and I whirl
Do Dance, O Dearly Beloved,
be a circle of whirl
Blazed in the flames - not in His vigil

Rumi

By whirling their body anti-clockwise, the dancers embrace humanity with love. That God create and give Love becomes the essence of all love, which can erase all tae boundaries (whether it is religion, cultural or race) between all of His creation. So that they can love every human being and other being. And this becomes the remedy to heal the disease of individualism and egotism within the self.

And Rumi has translated this into the excellence of forms, whether it is in words, poetry and Sema dance, which whirls the body. in order for him to feel the love and share it to all being.

Mind you that this we are not suggesting readers to dance before God, or worse yet consider it as a ritual parallel to daily prayer, fasting, hajj, and others. This Love story is told to introduce the Islamic horizon carried by the Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi q, whose legends soars not only in the East but also western part of the world.