Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Search the Poetry Chaikhana site:


Poetry Chaikhana Home
New | Books | Music | Teahouse | About | Contact
Poets by: Name| Tradition | Timeline Poetry by: Theme | Commentary
Blog | Forum | Video Channel
www.Poetry-Chaikhana.com


This page has been updated.
View the new page here.


Muslim / Sufi
11th Century
Iran/Persia
 

 

Baba Kuhi of Shiraz

Timeline (980? - 1050)

 

Poems by Baba Kuhi of Shiraz
Books - Links

 

Daily Poem Email
Daily Poem Email Signup

Support
the Poetry Chaikhana
Donations to the Poetry Chaikhana in any amount are always welcome. Thank you!

Click here

Click here
A small amount each month makes a big difference. Become a voluntary Subscriber for just $5/mo.

Click here
Help the Poetry Chaikhana reach more people. Become a Supporter for just $10/mo.

Baba Kuhi is an Iranian Sufi poet-saint. He spent many years in retreat and prayer in a mountain cave just north of Shiraz.

He died in 1050 A.D., and was buried just outside of Shiraz, on a hill called "the green old man" (Pir-i-sabz). It is said that just before Baba Kuhi died, he made a famous promise that if anyone could stay awake for forty consecutive nights at his tomb that person would be granted the gift of poetry, immortality, and his heart's desire.

A story is told about the later Sufi poet Hafiz: When the young Hafiz was in mourning because the young woman he loved was to marry the prince of Shiraz, he remembered the famous 'promise of Baba Kuhi.' Hafiz hoped to gain the young woman's hand and kept his vigil at Baba Kuhi's tomb at night, working in the bakery by day. Finally, utterly exhausted, Hafiz saw a radiant angel who asked him what he desired most. Hafiz was so dazzled by the sight of the angel that he forgot about the young woman and declared that he wanted God.

 

Poems by Baba Kuhi of Shiraz

  In the market, in the cloister--only God I saw

Recommended Books

The Mystics of Islam, by Reynold A. Nicholson

Amazon.com

Related Links:

  Baba Kuhi
http://www.shirazcity.org/shiraz/Shiraz%20Information/Famous%20People/Baba%20Kuhi%20e.htm
A photograph of Baba Kuhi's mountain cave, where the great sheikh retired to pray.
 


Poetry Chaikhana Home
New | Books | Music | Teahouse | About | Contact
Poets by: Name| Tradition | Timeline Poetry by: Theme | Commentary
Blog | Facebook | Twitter
www.Poetry-Chaikhana.com
Please support the Poetry Chaikhana, as well as the authors and publishers of sacred poetry, by purchasing some of the recommended books through the links on this site. Thank you!

Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2011 by Ivan M. Granger.
All other material is copyrighted by the respective authors, translators and/or publishers.