Saadi Shirazi

Saadi Shirazi was a prominent Persian poet and prose writer who lived in the 13th century. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest poets of the classical literary tradition, and one of the most influential figures in Persian culture and literature. He is also known for his profound social and moral insights, which are reflected in his works. Saadi was born in Shiraz, the capital of the Atabegs of Fars, a local dynasty that ruled over parts of southern Iran. He received a classical education in theology, law, literature, and Arabic at the Nizamiyya of Baghdad, one of the most prestigious institutions of Islamic learning at the time. He also studied under some of the famous Sufi masters of his era, such as Sheikh Shahab al-Din Suhrawardi and Sheikh Ruzbehan Baqli. Saadi traveled extensively throughout the Islamic world, visiting Anatolia, Syria, Egypt, Iraq, India, Central Asia, and other regions. He witnessed the Mongol invasions and the destruction of many cities and civilizations. He also experienced various hardships and dangers during his journeys, such as imprisonment, robbery, hunger, and illness. He wrote about his adventures and observations in his famous work Gulistan (The Rose Garden), a collection of stories and anecdotes interspersed with verses. Saadi also composed another masterpiece called Bustan (The Orchard), a book of poetry on various ethical and mystical topics. He also wrote many odes (qasidas), lyrics (ghazals), quatrains (rubaiyat), and other forms of poetry. His poems are known for their elegance, eloquence, wisdom, humor, and humanity. He used simple and clear language to convey profound meanings and messages. He also drew on various sources of inspiration, such as the Quran, the Hadith, the Persian classics, the Sufi tradition, and his own personal experiences. Saadi returned to Shiraz in his later years and spent his time teaching, writing, and worshipping. He died in either 1291 or 1292 CE at the age of 80 or 81. He was buried at a Khanqah (a Sufi lodge) where he had spent his last years. His tomb became a place of pilgrimage and reverence for many people. A mausoleum was built over his grave by Shams al-Din Juvayni, the vizier of Abaqa Khan, the Mongol ruler of Iran. The mausoleum was later renovated and expanded by various rulers and architects over the centuries. Saadi's works have been translated into many languages and have influenced many writers and thinkers in both the East and the West. His poems are often quoted in various contexts and occasions. His famous verse from Gulistan, The sons of Adam are limbs of each other Having been created of one essence, is inscribed on the entrance of the Hall of Nations at the United Nations building in New York. His book Bustan has been ranked as one of the 100 greatest books of all time by The Guardian.