Balkhi, Abu-al-Muayyad

Years of birth and death unknown. Persian-Tajik writer of the second half of the tenth century. Born in Balkh (now in Afghanistan).

Fragments of Balkhi’s work survived in later sources. He is considered the first author of the poem in Farsi on the biblical and koranic story of Joseph the Fair and the wife of Potiphar (Zulaikha). Fragments of the works Wonders of the Lands and Shah-nama mark him as a master of prose and an expert on folk legends. One of the sections of his Shah-nama is also known under the title Qarshas-nama. Those of Balkhi’s verses which have come down to us show his subtle craftsmanship. Balkhi was one of the best poets of his time.