"Discover the fascinating life and legacy of Sheikh Attar, one of Persia's most revered Sufi poets and mystics. This video explores his poetic works, spiritual journey, and profound influence on later figures like Rumi. Learn about his title 'Farid al-Din,' his profession as a healer, his use of the pen name 'Attar,' and his family's impact on his spirituality. Delve into debates surrounding his birth, death, and philosophy, while uncovering his connections to Sufism, mysticism, and Islamic thought. A must-watch for lovers of Persian literature and spiritual seekers alike."

Sheikh Attar, commonly referred to as "Abu Hamid" by scholars, earned the title "Farid al-Din," confirmed by numerous sources. He often used "Farid" and "Attar" in his poetry, with "Attar" reflecting his profession as a pharmacist. His father, Ibrahim, also a pharmacist, greatly influenced his spiritual journey. His mother, a devout ascetic, also shaped his mystical path.

Attar's birthdate is debated, though Jami's "Nafahat al-Uns" records it as 6 Sha'ban 513 AH. He lived around 70-80 years, dying in 618 AH during the Mongol invasion of Nishapur. Attar's works like Asrarnameh reflect his deep engagement with Sufism, though some suggest he was more of an independent mystic. A turning point in his life was an encounter with a dervish, which inspired his full embrace of Sufism.

Though Attar criticized philosophy, he was knowledgeable in various sciences, preferring religious teachings. His poetry often references Quranic verses and hadith, with his works covering themes of divine wisdom, spiritual struggle, and mysticism. Despite owning a pharmacy and possibly agricultural land, his focus remained on spirituality and intellectual pursuits.

Attar's influence on Rumi is significant, with Rumi drawing from Attar’s works like *Mantiq al-Tayr*. However, the depth of their intellectual connection is debated. Attar's death occurred during the Mongol massacre of Nishapur, marking the end of his profound legacy in Sufi literature.

1. *From *Khosrownameh*:*
"Three years have passed since I secluded myself in asceticism,
sitting quietly in a corner. I wrote no poetry."

2. *From Attar’s *Diwan*:*
"Beneath the soil, you lie sleepless, O Attar,
do not sleep, for your life has reached halfway through sixty."

3. *From *Mukhtarnama (multiple references to 30 years):**
"For nearly thirty years, I gave dust to the wind,
until I found the way to the soul, and the body followed."

"For thirty years, I've been running with thought,
until I recognized myself."

"For thirty years, you gave yourself to the dust,
Alas, you didn't raise your head from the soil."

"For thirty years, I sought the beloved with my soul,
I lost myself and never found Him."

"I intended to open this sphere in thirty years,
but a hundred more spheres and a thousand others appeared."

"For thirty years, we fed this lamp oil,
until the flame burnt all the oil clean."

4. *From *Tazkirat al-Awliya (quoted usage of "thirty" as a metaphor):**
"Sheikh said, 'One must walk in sincerity for thirty years,
Place your head on the lap of sorrow, and only then will you know the way of the men.'"

5. *Khaghani's poem (referenced as a comparison):*
"After thirty years, this meaning became clear to Khaghani,
that true sovereignty lies in poverty and poverty in sovereignty."

6. *Rumi’s *Divan-e Shams*:*
"After thirty years of wandering, the body has turned,
don't turn thirty into forty."

"Every soul that looks towards guidance,
sees madness after forty years."

"After forty, one sees a sun
that shines from every atom of light."

7. **From *Mukhtarnama***:
"For fifty years, I destroyed myself without doubt,
Now, I must shape the bow with sixty."

"At sixty, my weakness shows,
When sixty is done, my back becomes a bow."

8. **From *Mukhtarnama***:
"When we turned to fifty and sixty,
We held our heads high like the cypress.
We gained what we should not have,
In the end, we faced defeat."

9. **From *Ilahi Nama***:
"O sixty-year-old, in darkness lost,
How could you fit these six days into a sack?"

10. **From *Asrar Nama***:
"When I reached sixty years, there was no loss,
If I shape the bow with sixty."

11. **From Attar's *Diwan***:
"For thirty years, we cooked in the fire of desire,
Then we burned for another thirty."

"For thirty years, we ran through countless troubles,
For another thirty, we circled your door.
We reached your path,
Only to find the dawn drummer on the roof,
But never saw the sunrise."