Baba Kuhi of Shiraz
Iran/Persia (980? - 1050) Timeline
Muslim / Sufi


Poems by Baba Kuhi of Shiraz
Books - Links

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


Recommended Books: Baba Kuhi of Shiraz

The Longing in Between: Sacred Poetry from Around the World (A Poetry Chaikhana Anthology) The Mystics of Islam



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.
Baba Kuhi of Shiraz