Nasir Khusraw
- Died
- 481 AH
- Born in
- -
Nasir Khusraw (394–481 AH / 1004–1088 CE) was a Persian poet, philosopher, traveler, and Isma'ili missionary, best known for his Persian travelogue Safar Nama (Book of Travels) .
Early Life and Journey
Abu Mu'in (also recorded as Abu Amin) Nasir ibn Khusraw ibn Harith al-Qubadiyani al-Marwazi was born into a wealthy family in 394 AH (1004 CE) in Qubadiyan, situated on the eastern bank of the Oxus River near Balkh . He took an early interest in philosophy, sciences, and poetry . He served in high administrative and secretarial roles in the Ghaznavid state and subsequently held an official post in the Seljuk administration in Merv during the reign of Abu Sulayman Chaghri Beg Dawud .
In Rabi' al-Thani 437 AH (1045 CE), after experiencing a dream that urged him to abandon wine drinking and awaken to righteousness, Nasir Khusraw relinquished his official career to embark on a pilgrimage to Mecca . His travels lasted seven years, between 437 and 444 AH (1045–1052 CE), taking him from Merv across Iran, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Syria, Palestine, Egypt, the Hijaz, Najd, and southern Iraq before returning to Balkh . In Cairo, he stayed for six months, joined the Fatimid cause, and was invested by the Fatimid caliph al-Mustansir bi-llah with the title and rank of hujja (chief missionary) for Khurasan .
Missionary Activity, Exile, and Death
Upon returning to Khurasan, Nasir Khusraw actively propagated the Isma'ili doctrine . He later moved to Mazandaran, where he resided for a long time and persuaded many local inhabitants to adopt his school . His missionary activities eventually provoked fierce opposition from both the local populace and the authorities, who attacked his residence, forcing him to flee for his safety .
He sought refuge in Yamgan, a mountainous fortress in the region of Badakhshan . In Yamgan, he continued his religious mission and composed doctrinal and philosophical treatises, including Zad al-Musafirin (Provisions for Wayfarers) and Wajh-i Din (The Face of Religion) .
Sources differ regarding the year of his death: while the year 481 AH is widely recorded, other reports place his demise between 465 AH (1072 CE) and 471 AH (1078 CE), in 444 AH, after 450 AH, or around 1061 CE . His tomb in the region remains a site of visitation for local Isma'ilis .
Answer updated
List of Works
Safar Nama (Book of Travels) is a Persian travelogue documenting a seven-year journey across the Islamic world between 437 and 444 AH (1045–1052 CE). The narrative provides firsthand observations of contemporary Islamic society, urban landscapes, and regional governance, incorporating geographical details, architectural measurements, descriptions of local economies and coinage, and accounts of meetings with prominent figures and scholars.