Shah Nematollah Vali, Shah Nematollah Vali poetry, Muslim / Sufi, Muslim / Sufi poetry,  poetry,  poetry,  poetry Shah Nematollah Vali
Iran/Persia (1330 - 1431) Timeline
Muslim / Sufi


Poems by Shah Nematollah Vali
Books - Links

Shah Nematollah Vali (or Nimatullah Wali) was born to a Sufi family in Aleppo, Syria. He traveled widely through the Muslim world, learning the philosophies of many masters, but not at first finding a personal teacher he could dedicate himself to. During this time, he also studied the writings of the great Sufi philosopher and mystic, ibn 'Arabi.

Shah Nematollah finally met Shaykh Abdollah Yafe'i in Mecca, and became his disciple. He studied intensely with his teacher for seven years until, spiritually transformed, he was sent out for a second round of travels, this time as a realized teacher.

He temporarily resided near Samarkand, along the great Central Asian Silk Road. It was here that he met the conqueror Tamerlane, but, to avoid conflict with the worldly ruler, he soon left and eventually settled in the Persian / Indian region of Kerman.

When Shah Nematollah died, his fame had spread throughout Persia and India, and it is said he initiated hundreds of thousands of followers. Today the Nimatullah Sufi Order is one of the most important Sufi orders of Iran.

Poems by Shah Nematollah Vali


Recommended Books: Shah Nematollah Vali

Poetry for the Spirit: Poems of Universal Wisdom and Beauty The Drunken Universe: An Anthology of Persian Sufi Poetry Islamic Mystical Poetry: Sufi Verse from the Early Mystics to Rumi



Related Links

The Nimatullah Sufi Order
http://www.nimatullahi.org/

The Sufi order founded by Shah Nimatullah Wali. Quite large and vital in Iran today. Includes brief descriptions of the life and teachings of Shah Nimatullah.

Bonyad Erfan Gonabadi
http://erfan-gonabadi.com

A brief biographical article on Shah Nimatullah Wali, with several related articles and many verses of his poetry.

Hanna Stemerding's Comparison of Shah Nematollah and Hafiz
http://www.icchome.org/symp_articles/Stemerding_SSNV_Paper.htm

A scholarly comparison of the poetry of Shah Nimatullah and Hafiz.
Shah Nematollah Vali