Fuzûlî

Fuzûlî, born Muḥammad bin Sulaymān, was a prominent 16th-century poet of Azerbaijani descent who wrote in Azerbaijani, Persian, and Arabic. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest masters of divan poetry in the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal empires. Fuzûlî's exact birth and death dates are uncertain, but he is believed to have been born around 1494 and died in 1556. He lived in Baghdad for most of his life, a city that was under Ottoman rule during his time.

His most famous work is the Layla and Majnun (Leylî û Mecnûn), an epic poem in Azerbaijani Turkish that is considered a masterpiece of its genre. This rendition of the classic Arabian Nights tale is celebrated for its lyrical beauty, emotional depth, and intricate structure. Fuzûlî also composed significant works in Persian, including the Seven Beauties (Haft Peykar) and the Divan, a collection of his ghazals and other lyrical poems. His Arabic poetry, though less widely known, also showcases his considerable skill.

Fuzûlî's poetry is characterized by its philosophical depth, sophisticated language, and exploration of themes such as divine love, human passion, and the transient nature of life. His verses often blend mystical contemplation with earthly desires, creating a rich tapestry of emotional and intellectual engagement. His influence on subsequent generations of poets across the Persianate and Turkic world was profound, solidifying his status as a pivotal figure in classical Islamic literature.