Farid ud-Din Attar, Farid ud-Din Attar poetry, Muslim / Sufi, Muslim / Sufi poetry,  poetry,  poetry,  poetry Farid ud-Din Attar
Iran/Persia (1120? - 1220?) Timeline
Muslim / Sufi


Poems by Farid ud-Din Attar
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Farid ud-Din Attar was born in Nishapur, in what is today north-east Iran. There is disagreement over the exact dates of his birth and death but several sources confirm that he lived about 100 years. He is traditionally said to have been killed by Mongol invaders. His tomb can be seen today in Nishapur.

As a younger man, Attar went on pilgrimage to Mecca and traveled extensively, seeking wisdom in Egypt, Damascus, India, and other areas, before finally returning to his home city of Nishapur.

The name Attar means herbalist or healer, which was his profession. (The profession can also carry implications of alchemy.) It is said that he saw as many as 500 patients a day in his shop, prescribing herbal remedies which he prepared himself, and he wrote his poetry while attending to his patients.

About thirty works by Attar survive, but his masterpiece is the Mantic at-Tayr (The Conference of the Birds). In this collection, he describes a group of birds (individual human souls) under the leadership of a hoopoe (spiritual master) who determine to search for their king, the legendary Simurgh bird (God). The birds must confront their own individual limitations and fears while journeying through seven valleys before they ultimately find the Simurgh and complete their quest. The 30 birds who ultimately complete the quest discover that they themselves are already one with the Simurgh they sought, playing on a pun in Persian (si and murgh can translate as 30 birds) while giving us an esoteric teaching on the presence of the Divine within us collectively.

Attar's poetry inspired Rumi and many other Sufi poets. It is said that Rumi actually met Attar when Attar was an old man and Rumi was a boy, though some scholars dispute this possibility.

Farid ud-Din Attar was apparently tried at one point for heresy and exiled from Nishapur, but he eventually returned to his home city and that is where he died.

A traditional story is told about Attar's death. He was taken prisoner by a Mongol during the invasion of Nishapur. Someone soon came and tried to ransom Attar with a thousand pieces of silver. Attar advised the Mongol not to sell him for that price. The Mongol, thinking to gain an even greater sum of money, refused the silver. Later, another person came, this time offering only a sack of straw to free Attar. Attar then told the Mongol to sell him for that was all he was worth. Outraged at being made to look like a fool, the Mongol cut off Attar's head.

Whether or not this is literally true isn't the point. This story is used to teach the mystical insight that the personal self isn't of much real worth. What is valuable is the Beloved's presence within us -- and that presence isn't threatened by the death of the body.

Poems by Farid ud-Din Attar


Recommended Books: Farid ud-Din Attar

Poetry for the Spirit: Poems of Universal Wisdom and Beauty The Drunken Universe: An Anthology of Persian Sufi Poetry Music of a Distant Drum: Classical Arabic, Persian, Turkish & Hebrew Poems Perfume of the Desert: Inspirations from Sufi Wisdom The Conferences of the Birds
The Conference of the Birds The Conference of the Birds: The Selected Sufi Poetry of Farid ud-Din Attar The Hand of Poetry: Five Mystic Poets of Persia, with Lectures by Inayat Khan Winds of Grace: Poetry, Stories and Teachings of Sufi Mystics and Saints The Mystic in Love: A Treasury of Mystical Poetry
Conference of the Birds: A Seeker's Journey to God Muslim Saints and Mystics: Episodes from the Tadhkirat Al-Auliya (Memorial of the Saints)



Related Links

Poet: Farid al-Din Attar - All poems of Farid al-Din Attar
http://www.poemhunter.com/farid-al-din-attar/poet-34401/

The Conference of the Birds and Ilahi Nama on-line, but you have to sign up to read it.

Attar - Persian Poetry and Iranian Poetry at Best Iran Travel.com
http://www.bestirantravel.com/culture/poetry/attar.html

Brief biography of Attar, samples of his poetry, photos of his tomb in Iran.

Forum: Farid al- Din Attar Neishaburi-Remembered
http://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=1768

A fascinating article posted to the Poetry Chaikhana Forum about how Attar is remembered and celebrated in Iran today.

Farid al-Din 'Attar
http://www.angelfire.com/rnb/bashiri/Poets/Attar.html#Farid

A biography and exploration of the poetry of Attar.
Farid ud-Din Attar