Biography of bayazid bostami

Sufi Biography: Abu Yazid al-Bestami (Bayazid Bistami)

Abu Yazid Taifur ibn ‘Isa ibn Sorushan al-Bestami was born in Bestam in north-eastern Persia, the
grandson of a Zoroastrian; there he died in 261(874) or 264(877), and his mausoleum still
stands.

The founder of the ecstatic (“drunken”) school of Sufism, he is famous for the boldness of
his expression of the mystic’s complete absorption into the Godhead. In particular his description
of a journey into Heaven (in imitation of the Prophet Mohammad’s “ascension”), greatly elaborated
by later writers, exercised a powerful influence on the imagination of all who came
after him.

Abu Yazid-e Bestami: birth and early years

The grandfather of Abu Yazid-e Bestami was a Zoroastrian; his father was one of the leading citizens
of Bestam.

Abu Yazid’s extraordinary career began from the time he was in his mother’s womb.
“Every time I put a doubtful morsel in my mouth,” his mothe