Saadi Shirazi
Abu Mohammad Moshrefoldin Mosleh ebn Abdollah ebn Mosharraf, better known by his pen name Saadi (; Persian: سعدی, romanized: , IPA: [sæʔˈdiː]), also known as Saadi of Shiraz (سعدی شیرازی, Saʿdī Shīrāzī; born 1210; died 1291 or 1292), was a Persian poet and prose writer of the medieval period. He is recognized for the quality of his writings and for the depth of his social and moral thoughts.
Saadi is widely recognized as one of the greatest poets of the classical literary tradition, earning him the nickname “The Master of Speech” or “The Wordsmith” (استاد سخن ostâd-e soxan) or simply “Master” (استاد ostâd) among Persian scholars. He has been quoted in the Western traditions as well. His book, Bustan has been ranked as one of the 100 greatest books of all time by The Guardian.
When Sheikh Saadi Shirazi started writing his most famous Rubai in praise of the Prophet ﷺ, he couldn’t write the final verse. While working on it, he slept. In his dream, he saw the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ along with his companions. He asked Saadi why he looked troubled. Saadi replied that he didn’t know how to finish his Rubai. The Prophet ﷺ asked him to recite it for him. So he did:
“Balaghal-ula be-Kamal-e-hi
Kashafad-duja be-Jamaal-e-hi
Hasunat jamee’u Khisaal-e-hi.”
The Prophet ﷺ added the final verse by reciting:
“Sallu alae-hi wa Aal-e-hi.”
Therefore, this Rubai, written by Sheikh Saadi, was completed by Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ himself.
Translation:
He attained exaltation by his perfection
He dispelled darkness by his beauty
Beauteous are all his qualities
Benediction be on him and on his family.