Saadi: A Man from Iranshahr A Study on the Reflection of Iranshahri Thought in Saadi’s Works

Abstract

Iranshahri Thought, particularly its political aspect, represents the system of thought that dominates the history of ancient Iran, which, despite all the changes, has continued in the Islamic period. In the surviving works of Persian literature, such as Kelileh va Demneh of Nasrollah Monshi, which is a fictional work, and Mersād al-ʻEbād of Najmoddin Rāzi, which has explained mystical views and Sufi etiquette, the reflections of the Iranshahri Thought can be clearly observed. Saadi is also a man from Iranshahr who, despite studying Islamic sciences in the Nezamiyye and being influenced by the Sufi thoughts, in his works, Golestan and Bustan, he manifested the ideas of Iranshahri Thought. The present study shows that all the components of Iranshahri Thought, including having a hierarchal view of the universe (especially of the human community), considering the king as the leader in the hierarchy of society, knowing the kingdom as divine and believing in Farr-e Izadi (divine royal glory) of the king, considering his opinion and speech as the law, the need to fulfill the duties (khishkāri), the distinct concept of justice, repeated advice to adhere the virtue of moderation, satisfaction and contentment with what the cosmic order has given man, and finally, considering religion and kingdom as a united concept are evident in Saadi’s works

Keywords

• saadi
• golestan
• bustan
• ancient iran
• iranshahri thought