One cannot speak of Ismaili Qasidas without mentioning the towering figure of the 11th century, Al-Mu’ayyad fi’l-Din al-Shirazi. A scholar, philosopher, and missionary ( da‘i ), he is credited with composing some of the most profound Qasidas in the Ismaili tradition. His works, such as the celebrated "Ya layta shi‘ri" , are masterpieces that merge high philosophy with rapturous devotion. He utilized the Qasida not just to praise, but to explain the esoteric ( batin ) dimensions of the faith.
One cannot speak of Ismaili Qasidas without mentioning the towering figure of the 11th century, Al-Mu’ayyad fi’l-Din al-Shirazi. A scholar, philosopher, and missionary ( da‘i ), he is credited with composing some of the most profound Qasidas in the Ismaili tradition. His works, such as the celebrated "Ya layta shi‘ri" , are masterpieces that merge high philosophy with rapturous devotion. He utilized the Qasida not just to praise, but to explain the esoteric ( batin ) dimensions of the faith.
