Mausoleum of Omar Khayyam
History and Life
Omar Khayyam, an Iranian philosopher, mathematician, astronomer, and poet, was born in Nishapur in the fifth century AH (439 or 440 AH). At that time, Nishapur was the main center of Zoroastrianism, and Khayyam’s father was probably a Zoroastrian who converted to Islam. His full name in Arabic texts is “Ghiyas al-Din Abul-Fath Omar bin Ibrahim Al-Khayyam Nishapuri”. In Persian, he is called “Hakim Omar Khayyam Nishapuri”.
At the beginning of Khayyam’s life, “Avicenna” and “Abu-Rihan Biruni” had reached the end of their lives. Khayyam is mentioned as the successor of Avicenna and an irreplaceable master of natural (material) philosophy, mathematics, logic, and metaphysics.
Several writers have called Khayyam a student of Avicenna, and some have called him a student of “Imam Mowafq Nishapuri”. The truth of this hypothesis that Khayyam was Avicenna’s student is far from the mind; Because they have been very different from each other in terms of time. Khayyam considers Avicenna as his teacher, but this means that a spiritual teacher.
Omar Khayyam was a renowned figure known for his scientific and literary achievements. Although he was highly regarded in the field of science, he gained worldwide fame for his quatrains. “Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam” is the title of Edward FitzGerald’s 1859 translation of a selection of Khayyam’s quatrains from Persian to English. Khayyam, often referred to as “the Astronomer-Poet of Persia,” is best known for this work.
During the reign of Malik Shah I, Sultan of the Seljuk Empire (426-490 AH), Khayyam played a significant role in organizing and overseeing the calculations of Iranian chronology. He was a professor of mathematics, astronomy, literature, religion, and history. Notably, Khayyam made important contributions to the study of cubic equations and Euclid’s fifth principle, establishing himself as a prominent mathematician in the history of science. Additionally, he developed a theory on equivalent ratios based on Euclid’s work.
Khayyam passed away between 517 and 520 AH in Nishapur, where his tomb now stands in the city of Nishapur, located in the garden of the tomb of “Imam Zadeh Mahrouq.” This mausoleum, designed by Iranian architect Hoshang Sihon, was opened in April 1963.
