The land of Ancient Persia (modern day Iran) is rich in literary works of great writers such as Ferdowsi (The Shanameh), Kayyam’s Rubaiyat, Hafez, Attar of Nishapur, and Saadi Shirazi, just to name a few.
Below is a Persian Parable by Saadi Shirazi (around 1000 A.D.) that has strong application to our own day:
The land of Ancient Persia (modern day Iran) is rich in literary works of great writers such as Ferdowsi (The Shanameh), Kayyam’s Rubaiyat, Hafez, Attar of Nishapur, and Saadi Shirazi, just to name a few.
Below is a Persian Parable by Saadi Shirazi (around 1000 A.D.) that has strong application to our own day:
THE PERSIAN PARABLE
Far from this Man in Paradise.—” A youth, whose heart was black with sin, appeared before the cell of a dervish (a muslim monk celebrated for his sanctity). He began to lament the depth of his sin, and implore pardon. The proud monk indignantly demanded how he presumed to appear in the presence of God’s holy prophet; assuring him that it was in vain to seek forgiveness, adding :
‘May God grant that I may stand far from this youth on the judgment day.’
On this, Jesus spoke :
“It shall be so. The prayer of both is granted ; this sinner, a penitent, shall then enter Paradise. But the monk’s prayer is also granted ; he shall be far from the youth in that day, even in torment.” Words of Christ paraphrased.
—A Persian Parable, from Saadi
This parable bears a strong affinity to that of the Publican and the Pharisee:
“10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Luke 18:10-14 (KJV)