BIOGRAPHY OF ZABIULLAH SAFA

Date of birth: 1911

Death: 1999

He spent all his life to declare Iranian culture. He is second Persian literature doctor after late MOHAMMAD MOEEN from Tehran university (1942). His doctoral thesis, epic in Iran, is a broader context. This great is a great guide for those who want to know ups and downs of SHAHNAME. He started translation and research works, when he was student in the university. His most important book, HISTORY OF LITRATURE IN IRAN, was published for the first time in 1953. He continued the other volumes of this great book for 50 years, it means up to end of his life. Out of his classic text correction and numerous researches, we can show some samples: ASRARUL TOHID, DIWAN SEIFULDIN, history of intellectual science in Islamic civilization, a look to the history of philosophy and science in Iran, summary of political and social history in Iran and several other works in various fields of culture and literature.

In addition, he had lot of important duties, such as:

Head of literature and Natural Science College, head of publications and academic relations department, general director of national commission for UNESCO and many other important jobs.
He is one of the last survivors of master scholars in Persian literature. A multi tone generation, perhaps a handful of them, in the disfavor of time, have taken refuge in the hermitage.

LAST WORDS OF DOCTOR SAFA:

I feel bad, I can no long tolerate. I have the utmost modesty and humility toward all citizens to express my respect and devotion. And I am so sorry to say it very late. But always homeland is in my mind and will remain forever. Until the day that the Lord has ordained. And of course, I worked for my nation, for my country men. Without asking anything from anyone. I am still working. I stayed in house for nearly 3 months. I can`t move without using preservatives, because of internal bleeding that does not stop. I learnt to be patient.
I love my country. My country deserves respect, and I have always kept this respect. My country`s civilization leaded the world for four thousand years. I am not selfish. I tell the truth. I loved my country in hard times and good times. Our land is a great land with deep culture. Children of this country must protect the motherland. And it is their duty to do so.
(Cut of a radio conversation with doctor ZABIOLLAH SAFA in 1998).

OLD MAN OF PERSIAN LITRATURE:

In one of the most critical years of the history in Iran, MOHAMMAD ALI MIRZA the ousted and exiled king of Iran wanted to come back with the help of Russians. For the sake of thrown, he wanted to kill the constitutionalists and make a blood flood. In those days, Iran was most backward country in educational and cultural system.
In those terrible moments, in a small city of SHAHMIRZAD, a child was born in a family who were familiar with books. Young boy finished his primary school very soon. And his passion to read more and more forced his parents to send him to BABOL city. He completed his elementary studies in the said city. There was no choice but to send him to capital for academy courses. In 1936, SAFA, got his degree in philosophy and Persian literature and obtained a doctorate degree in Persian language and literature from Tehran university.
His knowledge and literacy allowed him to write and translate even in high school time. After getting his diploma, worked as a translator and writer for MEHR magazine. From the years 1935 to 1938, this young man could translate Lamartine` s prose and verse from French to Persian language. And then published it. At the same time, he was selected as editor of the MEHR magazine.
The young boy of SHAHMIRZAD, with rely on God given talent and the love of learning and also hard work, became prestige source of Iran. Wrote articles and many books. Publishes newspaper and magazine. Taught and researched in university.
Many professors of universities and institutions in the field of literature were his student. Some foreign professors and researchers who were in Tehran University also have benefited from presence of his grace-filled.
We can see his efforts in EPIC OF IRAN. In this book, he tries to introduce and defend the remarkable characters of this nation. He is one of the first scientists who wrote many articles about political and military movements of Iranians during the occupation. And explained briefly about the leaders of the movements. He wrote about Arabs and their behavior after the death of the holy Prophet (PBUH). Arabs forgot the famous slogan which says: All Muslims are our brothers. And paid value to racial discrimination.
Master mentioned about previous Iranian scientists who translated many books from PAHLAVI language to Arabic and by this way helped to Islamic science improvement. And also noted that according to holy QORAN, piety is proof to compare the persons and not the race and other baseless remarks of these categories.
In 1953, Professor ZABIULLAH SAFA started to write a new book about history of literature in Iran. This book is consisted of three sections:
1) The social and political situation
2) Religions and religious believes
3) The condition of science (intellectual and literary science)
He tried to give the general state of literary expression of that era plus name of poets and writers with examples of their works. He wrote about those Iranians who have written Arabic poetry or writings. Even though he made a remarkable work but was not proud. He said: I confess to unworthiness and lack of knowledge. I only wanted to open the way for the future.
In his opinion, Iran of yesterday and Iran of today are closely linked. And wanted to introduce great souls of this nation to young people.
At the time when he was assistant professor in Tehran University, many teenagers and young adults and even old people were in the magnetic field of TUDEH party. And eyes pinned to Moscow. So SAFA started to write articles in SHABAHANG newspaper to fight against Russian lovers. Obviously at the time of undisputed power of TUDEH party, opponents were calling such brave persons as traitor.
In addition, master was aware of American and European scholars and their attempts to rob the Iranian spirituality. Such foreign forces wanted to call Arabic art instead of Iranian art. They tried to show Iranian scientists like EBN SINA, BIROUNI, RAZI, GHAZALI, TOOSI and hundred more as Arab. As in the resent years, we are witnessing how foreign institutions are giving a false name instead of Persian Gulf.
Master replied to all articles and gave full description and biography of Iranian poets, writers, inventors, warriors and many more.
He done his duty well.