Mystic
Abū Saʿīd Fażl-Allāh ibn Abī al-Ḫayr Mayhanī was a famous Iranian mystic born at Mayhana in Ḫurāsān (North East Iran) in 357/967. He spent his early years studying the traditional religious sciences, however, he abandoned his attachment to the learned subjects and devoted himself to Sufism ca. 387/997. Abū Saʿīd then proceeded to live a secluded and self-castigating life as an ascetic—a period which is said to have continued until the fortieth year of his life. He then entered the public phase of his life, much of which took place in Nishāpur, accruing both disciples and critics, some of whom were fellow Sufis who attacked Abū Saʿīd for his lavish way of life. To some, he was more of a Sulṭān than a Sufi in his later years. There seems to be little doubt that Abū Saʿīd’s spiritual path was both dichotomous and eccentric: he went from living the life of an ascetic sweeping mosques to one of a cheerful mystic hosting entertaining parties. The authenticity of the famous aphorisms and encounters attributed to Abū Saʿīd, such as his meeting and conversation with the great philosopher Ibn Sīnā (see Ibn Sīnā), are difficult to determine. Not unlike similar figures, the events of his life are intertwined with legend. This could be a result from the fact that both biographies of Abū Saʿīd were written by his descendants and thus somewhat hagiographic. Several works have been attributed to Abū Saʿīd, however, their authenticity cannot be determined. He died in 440/1049.