Nasir Khusraw facts for kids

Nasir Khusraw (born 1004 CE, died after 1070 CE) was a famous Persian poet, thinker, and traveler. His full name was Abu Mo’in Hamid ad-Din Nasir ibn Khusraw al-Qubadiani. He is known as one of the greatest writers in Persian literature.

Nasir Khusraw was born in a village called Qabodiyon, which is now in modern Tajikistan. He later passed away in Yamagan, which is now part of Afghanistan. His most famous book is the Safarnama, which means "The Book of Travels." This book is still read in Iran today.

Nasir Khusraw's Life and Journey

Nasir Khusraw was born in 1004 AD in Qabodiyon. He was very smart and studied many subjects. These included natural sciences, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, and Greek philosophy. He also learned about the writings of famous scholars like al-Kindi, al-Farabi, and Ibn Sina.

He knew many languages, such as Arabic, Turkish, Greek, and even some languages from India. He visited cities like Multan and Lahore. For a while, he worked as a financial secretary for the Seljuk ruler Toghrul Beg in Merv.

Around 1046 AD, Nasir Khusraw had a dream that changed his life. He decided to give up his luxurious life and go on a pilgrimage. This was a journey to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. He hoped to find answers to his spiritual questions there.

His Seven-Year Journey

Nasir Khusraw's journey lasted seven years, from 1046 to 1052. He traveled about 19,000 kilometers! He visited Mecca four times and performed all the religious duties. But he was especially interested in Cairo, the capital of Egypt. Cairo was home to the Fatimid leader, Ma'ad al-Mustansir Billah.

At that time, the Fatimid Empire was very powerful. Syria, Hejaz, Africa, and Sicily were all under their rule. Egypt was a place of great order, safety, and wealth.

In Cairo, Nasir Khusraw learned a lot from a teacher named Mu'ayyad fid-Din al-Shirazi. He became very interested in the Shi'a Isma'ili teachings of the Fatimids. After his journey, his main goal was to share these new ideas in his home country.

Return Home and Later Life

When Nasir Khusraw returned to Greater Khorasan in 1052 AD, he faced many challenges. People did not like his new religious ideas. He was forced to flee from place to place.

Finally, around 1060 AD, he found safety in Yamgan in the mountains of Badakhshan. He lived there as a hermit, meaning he lived a simple, solitary life. Many people became his followers, and they continued to share his teachings for generations.

Nasir Khusraw taught that spiritual meanings are hidden within religious texts. He believed that a special guide, like the Imam of the Time, was needed to explain these deeper meanings. He passed away in Yamagan, in what is now northern Afghanistan.

Nasir Khusraw's Important Works

Nasir Khusraw wrote many important books and poems. His works are still studied and enjoyed today.

Safarnama: The Book of Travels

Safarnama (Persian: سفرنامه) is his most famous book. It means "The Book of Travels." In this book, he describes his seven-year journey in great detail. He visited dozens of cities and wrote about their colleges, inns, mosques, and the people living there. He also shared his own interesting memories. Even after 1000 years, people who speak Persian can still read and enjoy his Safarnama.

Diwan: Collection of Poems

His Diwan (Persian: دیوان) is a collection of his lyrical poems. Many of these poems were written when he was living in solitude in Yamgan. In his Diwan, he often praised Ali and his descendants. He also wrote about his sadness at being driven from his home in Khorasan.

His poems show his happiness with the quiet life in Yumgan. But they also show his disappointment that his old friends looked down on him. He often included moral lessons in his poems. He warned against the tricks of the world and the foolishness of people.

Gushayish va Rahayish: Knowledge and Liberation

Another important work is "Gushayis va Rahayish" (Persian: گشایش و رهایش). This philosophical book talks about creation, the soul, and Ismaili Islamic beliefs. It was one of the first philosophical books written in the new Persian language.

Rawshana-i-nama and Sa'datnama

Nasir Khusraw also wrote two longer poems called Rawshana-i-nama (Persian: روشنایی نامه), or "Book of Enlightenment," and Sa'datnama ("Book of Felicity").

The Rawshana-i-nama has two parts. The first part talks about the universe and how it was created. The second part gives moral advice. It teaches about good and bad qualities and warns against greedy people.

The Sa'datnama also gives excellent advice on living a good and wise life. It is a strong protest against the unfair treatment Nasir Khusraw received.

Wajh-i din: The Face of Religion

In his book Wajh-i din (or "The Face of Religion"), Nasir Khusraw explains the spiritual meaning of the story of creation. He says that when scriptures talk about God creating the world in six days and resting on the seventh, it's not meant to be taken literally.

Instead, he explains it as a symbolic story. The six days represent six prophets who would come to guide people. The seventh day represents a time when people would be rewarded for their hard work, rather than being commanded.

Nasir Khusraw's Poetry

Nasir Khusraw loved the Persian language. He didn't like poets who only praised rulers without telling the truth. His own poetry is full of advice and wisdom. He used his poems to guide his followers. Even today, his Persian poetry is enjoyed by many and is taught in schools.

Some of the fables in his poems became famous. One well-known story is "The Gourd and the Palm-tree":

Have you heard? A squash vine grew beneath a towering tree.
In only twenty days it grew and spread and put forth fruit.
Of the tree it asked: "How old are you? How many years?"
Replied the tree: "Two hundred it would be, and surely more."
The squash laughed and said: "Look, in twenty days, I've done
More than you; tell me, why are you so slow?"
The tree responded: "O little Squash, today is not the day
of

reckoning between the two of us.
"Tomorrow, when winds of autumn howl down on you and me,
then shall it be known for sure which one of us is the most resilient!"

نشنیده‌ای که زیر چناری کدو بنی بر رست و بردوید برو بر به روز بیست؟

پرسید از آن چنار که تو چند ساله‌ای؟ --- گفتا دویست باشد و اکنون زیادتی است

خندید ازو کدو که من از تو به بیست روز --- بر تر شدم بگو تو که این کاهلی ز چیست

او را چنار گفت که امروز ای کدو --- با تو مرا هنوز نه هنگام داوری است

فردا که بر من و تو وزد باد مهرگان --- آنگه شود پدید که از ما دو مرد کیست

See also

In Spanish: Naser Josrow para niños

• List of Persian poets and authors
• Persian literature
• Mehdi Mohaghegh, a researcher who studied Khusraw