Naser Khosrow

Abu Mo'in Hamid ad-Din Nasir ibn Khusraw al-Qubadiani was a Persian poet, mystic, traveler, philosopher and Ismaili missionary. He was born in Qabadian, Balkh (now in Tajikistan) in 1004 CE. He was from a wealthy and noble family that was involved in government affairs. He studied various Islamic sciences such as jurisprudence, hadith, theology and ethics. He also learned mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry, geography, history and linguistics. He was fluent in Persian, Arabic and Greek. Nasir Khusraw served as a secretary and a tax collector for the Ghaznavid and Seljuk rulers. He was a man of high rank and reputation among the courtiers and scholars of his time. However, in 1046 CE, he had a dream that changed his life. He saw a man who told him to leave his worldly pursuits and seek the truth. He interpreted this as a divine command and decided to embark on a journey of spiritual discovery. Nasir Khusraw left his home and traveled for seven years across various regions and countries, such as Iran, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Palestine, Arabia and Central Asia. He visited many famous cities and places of interest, such as Marv, Baghdad, Cairo, Jerusalem, Mecca and Samarkand. He met many eminent scholars and rulers of his time, such as Abu Zayd al-Balkhi, Abu Nasr al-Farabi, Abu al-Hasan al-Amiri, Al-Mustansir Billah and Alp Arslan. He also encountered different religious sects and groups, such as Sunnis, Shiites, Ismailis, Zoroastrians, Christians, Jews and Manicheans. He observed their beliefs and practices and compared them with Islam. During his travels, Nasir Khusraw became acquainted with the Ismaili doctrine and joined the Ismaili community. He became a devoted follower of the Fatimid caliph Al-Mustansir Billah and his chief missionary Al-Mu'ayyad fi'l-Din al-Shirazi. He received the title of Hujjat (Proof) from the caliph and was appointed as the head of the Ismaili mission in Khurasan. He returned to his homeland in 1052 CE and started to preach the Ismaili faith to the people. He also wrote many books and treatises on various subjects related to Ismailism and other sciences. Nasir Khusraw faced many oppositions and persecutions from the orthodox Muslims and the Seljuk authorities who considered him a heretic and an apostate. He was forced to flee from one place to another to avoid capture and execution. He finally settled in Yamgan, Badakhshan (now in Afghanistan) where he spent the last years of his life under the protection of the local ruler Ali ibn Asad. He died there in 1088 CE at the age of 84. Nasir Khusraw left behind many poems and books that reflect his mystical vision and experience. His most famous work is Safar Nama (The Book of Travels), a travelogue that describes his journey and his observations of the places and people he encountered. It is considered as one of the most important sources of historical geography and cultural anthropology. His other works include Wajh al-Din (The Face of Religion), a book on Ismaili doctrine and history; Jami' al-Hikmatayn (The Conjunction of the Two Wisdoms), a book on philosophy and logic; Khwan al-Ikhwān (The Feast of the Brethren), a book on ethics and mysticism; Zad al-Musafirin (The Provision of the Travelers), a book on esoteric interpretation of the Quran; Roshanai Nama (The Book of Illumination), a book on metaphysics and cosmology; Sa'adat Nama (The Book of Happiness), a book on theology and prophecy; Dalil al-Mutahayyirin (The Guide of the Perplexed), a book on jurisprudence and ritual; and others. His poems and books are considered as classics of Persian literature and Islamic thought, and have been translated into many languages. Nasir Khusraw is regarded as one of the greatest poets and thinkers of Iran and of Islam. He is revered by the Ismailis as a saint and a symbol of wisdom, knowledge and piety. He is also admired by many non-Ismailis as a universal humanist who transcended the boundaries of religion and culture. His life and works have been the subject of many literary works, such as The Conference of the Birds by Farid ud-Din Attar, The Secrets of the Self by Muhammad Iqbal, The Mantle Adorned by Abdal Hakim Murad and others.