Shams Tabrizi Biography: Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Height, Parent, Death, Wife, Children

Shams-i Tabrīzī, also known as Shams al-Dīn Muhammad, was a Persian Shafi’i poet and mystic who lived during the 13th century.

He is best known for his profound influence on the renowned Sufi poet Rumi.

Their meeting in Konya led to a profound spiritual connection that profoundly transformed Rumi’s life and work.

Shams’s teachings and presence are credited with inspiring Rumi’s most famous poetic collection, the “Diwan-i Shams-i Tabrizi.”

While Shams was a respected spiritual instructor, his unconventional methods and intense relationship with Rumi stirred controversy among his contemporaries.

His life remains shrouded in mystery, with various accounts of his disappearance and death.

Profile

• Full name: Shams al-Din Mohammad
• Nickname: Shams-i Tabrīzī
• Date of birth: 1185
• Age as of 2025: Deceased
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Tabriz, Iran
• State of origin: East Azerbaijan
• Nationality: Persian
• Profession: Poet, Mystic, Spiritual Instructor
• Height: N/A
• Parents: Father: Imam Ala al-Din; Grandfather: Malikdad
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: Kimya Khatun
• Children: N/A
• Relationship status: Married
• Religion: Islam
• Ethnicity: Persian
• Net worth: $500k (in today’s world)

Early Life and Education

Shams-i Tabrīzī was born in 1185 in Tabriz, Iran. His father was Imam Ala al-Din, and his grandfather was Malikdad. From a young age, Shams pursued spiritual knowledge and was known for his deep understanding of Islamic teachings.  

He studied under various teachers, including Baba Kamal al-Din Jumdi, and was associated with the Shafi’i school of Islamic jurisprudence. Shams was known for his ascetic lifestyle and dedication to Sufi practices. His early life was marked by extensive travels, during which he sought spiritual enlightenment and engaged with various Sufi communities.

Personal Life

Shams-i Tabrīzī married Kimya Khatun, who was the stepdaughter of Rumi. Rumi’s family reportedly arranged their marriage. However, accounts suggest that Shams maintained a celibate lifestyle and did not consummate the marriage.  

The union was short-lived, as Kimya passed away at a young age. Shams’s intense relationship with Rumi led to tensions within Rumi’s family and followers, contributing to Shams’s eventual disappearance. There are no records of Shams having any children.

Career

Shams-i Tabrīzī was a wandering dervish and spiritual instructor known for his unconventional methods and profound insights. His most significant contribution was his mentorship of Rumi.

Their meeting in Konya around 1244 marked a turning point in Rumi’s life, shifting him from a respected Islamic scholar to a passionate poet of divine love. Shams’s teachings emphasized direct experience of the sacred, often challenging established religious norms.

His influence is immortalized in Rumi’s “Diwan-i Shams-i Tabrizi,” a collection of poems expressing deep spiritual longing and devotion. Shams’s career was characterized by his role as a catalyst for spiritual transformation, both for Rumi and for those who encountered his teachings.

Net Worth

Shams-i Tabrīzī’s net worth would be around $500,000 in today’s money. His life was devoted to spiritual pursuits rather than material wealth.  

Death

The circumstances of Shams-i Tabrīzī’s death remain a mystery. He disappeared around 1248, and various accounts suggest he may have been murdered by individuals opposed to his influence over Rumi. Some narratives claim he was killed and buried in Konya, while others suggest he fled to Damascus or Khoy.

A tomb attributed to Shams exists in Khoy, Iran, and has been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ambiguity surrounding his death has contributed to the mystique that envelops his legacy.

Social Media

• N/A