One of the most famous poems attributed to Rumi (though its exact origin is debated) contains these words: "Come, come, whoever you are. Wanderer, worshipper, lover of leaving. It doesn't matter. Ours is not a caravan of despair. Come, even if you have broken your vow a thousand times. Come, yet again, come, come."
This poem embodies Rumi's philosophy of universal welcome and unconditional acceptance. The Mevlevi dervish lodges were open to all — regardless of faith, social status, or past mistakes. The poem invites everyone: the wanderer (seeker), the worshipper (devotee), and the "lover of leaving" (one who has abandoned their path).
The phrase "even if you have broken your vow a thousand times" reflects Rumi's understanding of human imperfection and the Islamic concept of tawba (repentance) — that one can always return to God, no matter how many times they have failed. The door is always open, the invitation always stands.
While scholars debate whether Rumi actually wrote this exact poem (some attribute it to Bab Afzaluddin Kashani or Abu Sa'id ibn Abi'l-Khayr), it has become so associated with Rumi's teachings that Turkish Mevlevis recite it as if it were his own. The message aligns perfectly with his philosophy: spiritual transformation is always possible, and no one is excluded from the path of love.