Bahuddin Sultan Walad: Sufi Leader and Poet

Baha al-Din Sultan Walad (1226–1312) was the son of the famous Sufi poet Rumi and succeeded him as the leader of the Mawlawi (Mevlevi) order. Born in Karaman (modern Turkey), he grew up in a scholarly and spiritual environment. His family moved to Konya when he was three, where he was influenced by his father and his mentor, Borhan al-Din Termezi.

By the age of 20, Sultan Walad was an important figure in Rumi’s circle. He supported Rumi’s companions, including Shams al-Din Tabrizi, and carried on their teachings after Rumi’s death in 1273. After initially refusing, he eventually became the leader of the Mawlawi order in 1284, organizing it into a structured group and spreading it across Asia Minor.

Sultan Walad was a poet who wrote in Persian, Turkish, and Greek. His works include:

• Divan: A collection of over 12,700 verses.
• Walad-nama: A poem about Rumi’s life and Sufi teachings.
• Rabab-nama: A didactic poem on Sufism.
• Enteha-nama: His final poem focused on Sufi principles.
• Maarif: A book of his spiritual discourses.

While he may have lacked Rumi’s brilliance, Sultan Walad had practical skills and simplified Sufi teachings, making them accessible to disciples.