Suzani Samarqandi
Encyclopedia
Shams al-Din Muhammad b. *Ali (or possibly Mas'ud) (d. 1166) was a Persian
poet
born in Samarqand or its vicinity. He is more often known by his name, Suzani or "needle maker". According to one theory, the name is said to have arisen because of his violent passion for a needle-maker's apprentice under whose influence he supposedly took up the twin crafts of needlemaking and poetry. According to his own claim, he was a scion of the family of Salman the Persian
, a famous companion of the Prophet Muhammad
.
Details of his life (he died in 562/1166) are lacking, apart from what we can gather from his works. Obviously he was a very cultured writer : he took a knowledge of Arabic
for granted. He was also remarkably well read, and that his knowledge of Christianity
and Manichaeism
was exceptional, while his frequent use of Turkish words shows how widely known that language was. To make his livelihood, he addressed eulogistic verses to greater and lesser rulers, though he stayed in Samarqand. He did not hesitate to include lewd and insulting remarks in his satire, for which he had many a down-to-earth metaphor and turn of phrase. Suzani was a genuinely realistic poet with an unmistakable poetic talent.
Persian people
The Persian people are part of the Iranian peoples who speak the modern Persian language and closely akin Iranian dialects and languages. The origin of the ethnic Iranian/Persian peoples are traced to the Ancient Iranian peoples, who were part of the ancient Indo-Iranians and themselves part of...
poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
born in Samarqand or its vicinity. He is more often known by his name, Suzani or "needle maker". According to one theory, the name is said to have arisen because of his violent passion for a needle-maker's apprentice under whose influence he supposedly took up the twin crafts of needlemaking and poetry. According to his own claim, he was a scion of the family of Salman the Persian
Salman the Persian
Salman the Persian or Salman al Farisi was one of Muhammad's companions.During some of his later meetings with the other Sahaba, he was referred to as Abu Abdullah .-Birth place:...
, a famous companion of the Prophet Muhammad
Muhammad
Muhammad |ligature]] at U+FDF4 ;Arabic pronunciation varies regionally; the first vowel ranges from ~~; the second and the last vowel: ~~~. There are dialects which have no stress. In Egypt, it is pronounced not in religious contexts...
.
Details of his life (he died in 562/1166) are lacking, apart from what we can gather from his works. Obviously he was a very cultured writer : he took a knowledge of Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
for granted. He was also remarkably well read, and that his knowledge of Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
and Manichaeism
Manichaeism
Manichaeism in Modern Persian Āyin e Māni; ) was one of the major Iranian Gnostic religions, originating in Sassanid Persia.Although most of the original writings of the founding prophet Mani have been lost, numerous translations and fragmentary texts have survived...
was exceptional, while his frequent use of Turkish words shows how widely known that language was. To make his livelihood, he addressed eulogistic verses to greater and lesser rulers, though he stayed in Samarqand. He did not hesitate to include lewd and insulting remarks in his satire, for which he had many a down-to-earth metaphor and turn of phrase. Suzani was a genuinely realistic poet with an unmistakable poetic talent.