born 1004, Qub 0101; diy 0101; n, Khor 0101; s 0101; n
died 0441; 1072/ 77, Yumg 0101; n, Central Asia
Persian poet, theologian, and propagandist.
Born into a family of government officials who belonged to the Sh 012B; ite branch of Islam, he attended school only briefly. In 1045 he made a pilgrimage to Mecca and then traveled to Palestine and Egypt, which was then ruled by the Sh 012B; 02BD; ite F 0101; timid dynasty . He returned to his homeland to serve as a missionary for the F 0101; 1E6D; imid's Ism 0101; 012B; l 012B; sect of Sh 012B; 02BD; ites, but his efforts aroused the hostility of the majority Sunnite s and he was obliged to flee. Considered one of the greatest Persian writers, he is remembered for his didactic and devotional poetry as well as for his Diary of a Journey Through Syria and Palestine .