Journal of the stylistic of Persian poem and prose
volume Number 19، number In Volume 1، Apeil 2026 ، issue Number 119

Stylistic Innovations of Badi' al-Zaman-nameh in Recreating Ferdowsi's Shahnameh

Asieh Zabihnia Emran (Author in Charge)

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Examining lesser-known works such as Badiʿ al-Zamān and Qamarchehr, particularly within classical Persian literature, can help revive these poems and introduce them to the scholarly and literary community. Moreover, a rigorous and precise study of shared—or at least similar—sources is of great importance and brings many benefits; in this way, one can understand, analyze, and explain certain similarities in outlook among different poets and their influence on literary works

METHODOLOGY: This study employs a descriptive–analytical approach.

FINDINGS: The lyrical epic Badiʿ al-Zamān-nāmeh (Badiʿ al-Zamān and Qamarchehr) (1007 AH) is by an anonymous poet of the Timurid period and dates to the ninth and tenth centuries AH. The work consists of 3,291 couplets and is composed in the motaqāreb meter. Badiʿ al-Zamān-nāmeh is written in an epic language. This masnavi tells the story of a prince named Badiʿ al-Zamān who goes to fight infidels in India, China, and Zanzibar; he converts them to Islam and Shi‘ism, destroys their idol temples, and builds mosques in their place. In China, he falls in love with Qamarchehr, the daughter of the Emperor of China. His enemy captures him, but ultimately, through the outstanding efforts of his friends, he is freed and returns to Iran with his beloved.

CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of this research, Badiʿ al-Zamān-nāmeh resembles Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh in structure, language, and meter. Under the influence of the Shahnameh, its poet attempts to compose and recreate a romantic poem in the style of Ferdowsi. In terms of subject matter and theme, Badiʿ al-Zamān-nāmeh belongs to lyrical literature; however, due to the poet’s interest in Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh and the choice of the motaqāreb meter, it is clearly influenced by Ferdowsi.

Keyword
Badiʿ al-Zamān-nāmeh , Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh , re-creation , inclusion (tażmīn) , adaptation.