Of what use will be a dish of roses to you
Take one page from this rose garden of mine
A rose only lives for five or six days
The joy from my rose garden always stays

 

The lifetime of Saadi (also known by the name: Mosleh al-Din Saadi Shirazi) falls in a period of major political and social change in Iran and the whole of the Middle East (the decline of the Abbasid Empire with the invasion and subsequent wanton destruction by the Mongols). As a result of this, little is known about his life apart from what he wrote in his "so called " autobiographical works.

One of his nicest autobiographical stories, in the Golestan, tells the story of his release from slavery:

... He was imprisoned by the Crusaders and had to dig trenches in Tripoli until a Muslim merchant bought and freed him; but then his previous form of slavery was replaced by another, since he had to marry his benefactor's daughter....

What we know for sure is that he was born in Shiraz in the late 12th century AD (this is even questioned by some scholars who believe he was born in 1210) and began life as a student of the Koran, which he later exchanged for Sufism. During his life he travelled widely and returned to his native town some time around 1256. One usually assumes that Saadi travelled for some thirty years, and it was his experiences and his gift of acute observation that made him such a wonderful storyteller.

In 1257 he dedicated his Bustan( Fruit Garden), a book on moral virtues in the form of moralising anecdotes in verse, to Abu Bakr b. Sa'd (ruled Shiraz between 1226-60), and in the following year he completed the Golestan(Rose Garden).

 The Golestan is mainly written in prose and contains stories and personal anecdotes. In it he contrasts the fate of those who depend on the moods of kings to the freedom of the dervishes. Its text is interspersed with a variety of short poems containing advice and humorous reflections.

Copies of both works were often penned by the masters of calligraphy and sometimes decorated with miniatures of great beauty.

Saadi displays great wisdom in all his works with an understanding of the human mind, and many of his lines and sayings have been frequently quoted.

He is also remembered as a great panegyrist and lyricist. He wrote many qasidas (long panegyrics) in Persian and Arabic, mystic ghazals (love poems) and satirical poetry.

 

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE MERCIFUL THE CLEMENT
Laudation to the God of majesty and glory! Obedience to him is a cause of approach and gratitude in increase of benefits. Every inhalation of the breath prolongs life and every expiration of it gladdens our nature; wherefore every breath confers two benefits and for every benefit gratitude is due.
Whose hand and tongue is capable
To fulfil the obligations of thanks to him?
Words of the most high: Be thankful, O family of David, and but few of my servants are thankful.
It is best to a worshipper for his transgressions
To offer apologies at the throne of God,
Although what is worthy of his dignity
No one is able to accomplish.

Saadi is said to have died in 1290 and his tomb in Shiraz is a shrine. He remains the master of love poetry and one of the greatest poets that Persia has produced.

 

Marble tomb dates from 1860s, an octagonal shaped building, walls inscribed with Saadi work in tile.
An underground pool where people throw coins into the water & make a wish.