Shāh Qāsim Anvār (d. 837/1434) and His Two Disciples: Excerpts from Majālis al-nafāʾis by Amīr ʿAlīshīr Navāʾī (d. 906/1501)

1. Mīr Qāsim Anvār: Wayfarer of the Path & Unveiler of Secrets

His stature exceeds that of merely a poet, and his place among the People of Walaya is beyond description. However, he found it more fulfilling to convey truth and knowledge through the medium of poetry, and thus, he devoted himself to it. To invoke auspiciousness, I begin this brief work (i.e., Majālis al-nafāʾis) with his esteemed name.

Mīr hails originally from Azerbaijan, born in a town named Sarāb. In his youth, he became a disciple of Shaykh Ṣadr al-Dīn Ardabīlī. He acquired profound knowledge of the subtleties of the Sufi path from him and then traveled to Khurasan by his instruction.

Shortly after, the people, enchanted by Mīr, started to create unrest. The king of that era (Shahrukh) decreed his banishment [from Herat]. He traveled to Balkh and Samarqand. After some time, he set out for the capital city (Herat). Once again, not only the Timurid princes but also the free common folk became his devotees and began rushing toward him. His conduct was pristine, and his spirit was passionate.

The public was deeply inclined to his poetry, fervently reading and copying his verses. This enthusiasm indeed led to the compilation of his diwan.

He also penned a concise masnavi titled Anīs al-ʿārifīn.

He also authored tarjīʿband poems. Seeking blessings, I shall cite the opening line from two of them.

First:

The longing for you, which is the treasure of both realms,

By God, it is profoundly rooted in my heart and soul.

Second:

We are rogue; in love, we set the world aflame and tear our garments,

With the blessed riches of your sorrow, who regards the world!

The latter opening line was indeed the first verse that this humble individual (Navāʾī) memorized. At that time, I was between three to four years old. When the elders instructed me to recite it, some expressed amazement.

His masnavi poems are written in the same poetic meter used by Mawlānā Jalāl al-Dīn Rūmī, that is, raml-i musaddas.

Among them is the following hemistich, "once there was a Sayyid boy in Tabriz," which apparently refers to himself.

A verse from his tarjīʿband reads as follows:

You are the origin of all that’s concealed and visible,

Through your deeds, attributes, essence, and your names.

The blessed resting place of that Presence is located in the province of Jām, within the district of Kharjird. This humble individual (Navāʾī) serves as one of the caretakers of that threshold. His departure took place in the year 837 Hijri. Blessings upon those who visit his tomb.

2. Mīr-i Makhdūm [of Nishapur]

He was a cherished deputy (khalīfah) to Mīr Qāsim, almost like a beloved son. His father, originally from Mecca, traveled to Mashhad to pay homage to the Shrine of Imām ʿAlī b. Mūsā al-Riḍā. Upon his return, he made Nishapur his home, becoming the head of a city quarter (katkhudā). God blessed him with three sons, the youngest of whom was Mīr-i Makhdūm, given the birth name Sayyid Muḥammad.

Mīr-i Makhdūm came to the City (i.e., Herat), for his education. As he was concluding his formal studies, Mīr Qāsim's renown was on the rise. Mīr-i Makhdūm entered his service and became a disciple. Mīr Qāsim took a vested interest in his training, subjecting him to rigorous ascetic practices and demanding tasks. Mīr-i Makhdūm, being a young man of a good and fortunate nature, rose to these challenges. In recognition of his dedication, and in line with the saying, “he who serves will be served in return,” Mīr Qāsim bestowed upon him the title “Mīr-i Makhdūm.” Mīr Qāsim always regarded him with deep respect and affection.

The following opening line is attributed to him:

O musician, strike a melody, O cup-bearer, bring forth the wine,

Should one deem it forbidden, might their own blood be the fine.

His resting place is in the province of Nishapur, in a place called Mihrābād.

3. Ḥāfiẓ-i Saʿd

He was a disciple of Mīr Qāsim. Due to his reckless and audacious nature, he mixed with the libertine youth of Herat, which led them to adopt crude behaviors and indelicate manners. When Mīr became aware of this, he severed ties, expelling him from the sanctity of the Sufi lodge. He even ordered the destruction of Ḥāfiẓ’s chamber, casting its remnants outside the lodge. Following these events, Ḥāfiẓ penned a ghazal the opening line of which reads:

In the world of libertines, you raised my name to infamy,

You took my heart, leaving my soul with endless regrets.

Thereafter, Ḥāfiẓ found himself estranged, unable to reenter the esteemed circle of Mīr.