Allah

By: Jalaluddin Rumi *

 I tried to find Him on the Christian cross, but He
was not there; I went to the Temple of the
Hindus and to the old pagodas, but I could not
find a trace of Him anywhere.

I searched on the mountains and in the valleys
but neither in the heights nor in the depths was I
able to find Him. I went to the Ka'bah in Mecca,
but He was not there either.

I questioned the scholars and philosophers but
He was beyond their understanding.

I then looked into my heart and it was there
where He dwelled that I saw Him; He was
nowhere else to be found.

* * *

* Among those of other Islamic poets, Rumi’s works perhaps rank as the mostly-read by Muslims and Non-muslims all around the world. Especially in the West, he gains fame. Rumi lived in the medieval world. He was born in Persia (present Iran). Upon Mongols’ invasion, he and his parents fled to and resided in Anatolia (Rome), hence his name “Rumi” (lit. “of Rome”). <Arief>