A Persian poet, Sufi, theoretician of mysticism and hagiographer, was born in Nishapur (Nīšāpūr), a city in the northeast region of Iran.
Attar is one of the most famous mystic poets of Iran. His works were the inspiration of Rumi and many other mystic poets. `Attar, along with Sanai were two of the greatest influences on Rumi in his Sufi views.
Fariduddin Attar's Mantiq-ut-Tair widely known as 'The Conference of the Birds' or the 'Colloquy of the Birds' is considered to his best work. It was written about eight centuries ago. It is an allegorical poem in which this gated Sufi describes the quest of the Birds (symbolizing Sufi pilgrims ) to reach the Simurg (the Lord of Creation).
Rumi has mentioned both of them with the highest esteem several times in his poetry.