ʿAttar

Farid al-Din ʿAttar is known for his mystical narratives in masnavi form, especially Mantiq al-Tayr (Conference of the birds).

He was born in Nishapur, a renowned centre of artistic and literary activity in north-eastern Iran. He spent the first part of his adult life dispensing medicinal cures from his pharmacy. His pen name, meaning 'a perfume dealer', is a reference to his former career as an apothecary.

After mystical initiation into a dervish order ʿAttar began writing epics and lyric poems of great narrative skill, to the extent that he was later acknowledged as the greatest Persian Sufi poet of the 12th century.

His work extolled the traditional Sufi virtues of poverty and concern for other social ills, criticising reigning monarchs in his lively commentary on contemporary affairs. His later writing was more explicitly concerned with experiences of the ecstasy, yearning and suffering endured on the Sufi path.

The main story in ʿAttar's 'Conference of the Birds' recounts the journey of 30 birds in search of the Simurgh, a mythical bird regarded by the others as a symbol of Divinity. Within this framework are several short romantic tales.

ʿAttar died in his birthplace of Nishapur around 1221.