Muslim Board of Uzbekistan

Do you know about the life and activity of Mir Alisher Navoi?

07.02.2025 174311 10 min.

Mir Alisher Navoi was a great poet, thinker, a linguist and a statesman. His full name was Nizomiddin Mir Alisher Navoi. He is the outstanding figure of Uzbek literature, known in the West as Chagatai literature. There is no greater personality than him in the literature of the Turkic peoples. He was a founder of Uzbek literature. Mir Alisher Navoi knew languages. He knew the Arabic, Persian and Turkic languages very well. Mir Alisher Navoi’s contribution to the world civilization is great. We will celebrate his 584^th anniversary widely this year.

He wrote his poems under the pen-names of Navoi (in his poems which were written in the old Uzbek language) and Foni (in his poems which were written in Persian language).

He was born on February 9, 1441 in Herat and spent the main part of his life there. He studied in various educational establishments of Herat, Mashhad and Samarkand (in Ulugbek madrasah). Mir Alisher Navoi's family was close to Timurid's palace. According to the information of great historian Giyasiddin Hondamir, an old poet Mavlona Lutfi met with Mir Alisher Navoi, when he was a child and Mavlona Lutfi appreciated his talent.

Famous poet and thinker Abdurahmon Jomi was the teacher and adviser of Mir Alisher Navoi,

Mir Alisher Navoi had no his own family. He dedicated his life to the science, the young people who studied and trade. He always wanted people to be educated and helped them.

   One of the Timurid's Sulton Husayn Boyqaro took the crown of Herat in 1469, and a new period began in Mir Alisher Navoi's life. In 1469 he was given a title as a stamper and in 1472 as a minister (vazir) of the state by Husayn Boyqaro. Mir Alisher Navoi was famous as a poet and a statesman, he owned a great wealth at that time. During 1480 he built a number of madrasahs, 40 robots (the place where karavan could have a little rest), 17 mosques, 10 honaqohs, 9 bath-houses, 9 bridges, 20 pools in Herat and in other parts of the country for his own money (from his own account). Mir Alisher Navoi was sent to Astrobod as a governor (head) in 1487. Husayn Boyqaro gave a title to Navoi as "Muqarribi hazrati sultoniy (the closest person to sultan)". One of the main features of that title was that who could do state work instead of Husayn Bayqaro.
    The great poet Mir Alisher Navoi died on 3^rd of January in 1441 in Herat. He was buried in Herat (in Afghanistan).
    According to the capacity of Mir Alisher Navoi's "Hamsa" includes the following dostons (plays): "Hayratu-l-abror", "Farhod va Shirin", "Layli va Majnun", "Sab'ai sayyor" and "Saddi Iskandariy". Mir Alisher Navoi Navoi was the first poet who created completed "Hamsa" in Turkic language (the old Uzbek language) and proved that such great work could be written in the Turkic language.
   The problems which are connected with the leader were the main plan in "Sab'ai Sayyor" and "Saddi Iskandariy" which are the parts of "Hamsa". In the tradition of writing Hamsa Mir Alisher Navoi's "Hamsa" is distinguished with its social-political character and being original. Having read Navoi's "Hamsa" Abdurahmon Jomi was impressed and appreciated his work.
   Mir Alisher Navoi's thoughts, the quintessence of philosophical views - tasavvufiy ideas of the last days of his life were described in "Lisonu-t-tayr" .
   During 1491-1498 Mir Alisher Navoi created 4 devons (collection) called "Hazoinu-l-maoniy". The general capacity of it is more than 50000 verses. There were 21 lyric genres in Eastern literature and Navoi used 16 of them in his poems. The collection of his poems in the Persian language is called "Devonu Foni". These two devons include 3150 poems which were written in gazal genre. Mir Alisher Navoi collected his qasidas in Persian and made 2 miscellane as called "Sittai Zaruriya: ("Olti Zarurat") and "Fusuli arbaa" ("Four seasons").
   Mir Alisher Navoi's "Muhokamatu-l-lugatayn" is devoted to the comparative analysis of Turkish and Persian. His tazkira "Majolisun-nafois" was written in the way of literary criticism. His "Mezon ul-avzon" was written about the theory of aruz, "Mufradot" was written about the rules of problems.
   Also he created the works called "Tarixi muluki ajam", "Tarixi anbiyo va hukamo". In the base of his collection called "Munshaot". In memorialistic genre he wrote "Hamsatu-l-mutaxayyirin" ("Besh hayrat") devoting to Abdurahmon Jomi (1494), "Holoti Sayyid Hasan Ardasher"). In Mir Alisher Navoi's nasriy work "Mahbubu-l-qulub" (1500) the social and political thoughts were expressed in high level.
  Mir Alisher Navoi knew languages. He knew the Arabic and Persian languages very well.

His contribution is great in the world civilization. Mir Alisher Navoi’s works are translated into many languages in the world. Throughout his life, Mir Alisher Navoi combined literary works with politics. Being a high-ranking official, he made a significant contribution to the socio-economic development of the country; He sponsored the development of science and art, and always strived for peace and harmony.

    Mir Alisher Navoi put forward the global problems with the sufizm in his poetry.
    After the independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan Navoi's poems about religion and sufizm are widely studied. Especially from this point of view the objective study of Navoi's poems are increased. The religious poems of Navoi called "Arbain", "Munojot" were adopted firstly. The work "Nasoyimu-l-muhabbat", which includes information about 750 shayxs of tasavvuf was adopted.
   Mir Alisher Navoi left rich literary heritage. The great Uzbek poet, thinker, philosopher, creator is the author of unique works, more than thirty collections of poems, prose works, major poems and scientific. His creativity is great. The volume of his six poems is about 60.000 lines (misra). In 1483-85, Mir Alisher Navoi created the work "Khamsa" ("Five"), which consisted of poems: "Khairat al-Abrar" ("Confusion of the Righteous"), "Farhad va Shirin" ("Farhad and Shirin"), "Leyli va Mazhnun", "Sabai Sayyar" ("Seven Planets"), "Saddi Iskandari" ("Wall of Iskandar"). They were created on the basis of the hamsa tradition - the creation of five (five poems)."Hamsa" Navoi - the first work in the genre of serials, created in the Turkic language. He proves that such a voluminous work can be created in the Turkic language.

There are many manuscripts and printed copies of Mir Alisher Navoi's "Hamsa" in Central Asia 166 manuscripts which were copied during XV-XX centuries, are kept in the fund of manuscripts of the Institute Oriental Languages in the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan. In 84 of them all dostons (plays) of pentas are given in it.
254 handwritings of 24 works of Mir Alisher Navoi are kept in the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, in the Institute of Oriental Languages (3rd fund).The list of handwriters who copied the works of Mir Alisher Navoi and some information about them can be a risola.

Although Alisher Navoi passed away many centuries ago, his literary heritage and contributions to the Enlightenment continue to endure. Today, he is celebrated as a national hero in Uzbekistan, and his wise words continue to inspire people.

Used Internet sites

1.ziyuz.uz

2. uzbekistan.travel

3.yandex.uz

4.ziyoratga.uz

Fakhriddin Ernazarov

SHARE INFORMATION ON SOCIAL NETWORKS

Baku hosts International Conference on “Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan: Common Historical Heritage, Islamic Civilization and Modern Scientific Cooperation”

28.10.2026 42382 9 min.

International Mugam Center in Baku hosted an international conference titled “Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan: Common Historical Heritage, Islamic Civilization and Modern Scientific Cooperation”, reports Dunyo IA.

Participants focused on studying the historical and spiritual ties between the two countries, popularizing the heritage of prominent scholars and thinkers, and expanding research, cultural, and humanitarian cooperation.

Event was attended by the Ambassador of Uzbekistan Bahrom Ashrafkhanov, President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences Isa Habibbeyli, Director of the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan Firdavs Abdukhalikov, representatives of the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan, heads of museums, scholars, as well as culture and art figures.

Conference program opened with video materials dedicated to Uzbek-Azerbaijani relations and the activities of the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan. An exhibition of the Center's publications was also organized for the guests, showcasing the country's historical, scientific and spiritual heritage.

Addressing the participants, Ambassador of Uzbekistan Bahrom Ashrafkhanov, emphasized the significance of century-old ties, shared values, and the strategic partnership between the two states.

According to the diplomat, the Great Silk Road has for centuries facilitated the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and cultural achievements. A special place in this process is occupied by the heritage of Muhammad al-Khwarizmi, Abu Rayhan Beruni, Ibn Sina, Mirzo Ulugbek, Nizami Ganjavi, Imadaddin Nasimi, and Muhammad Fuzuli, which has become part of the common intellectual treasury of the peoples of the region.

Today, we are consistently strengthening cooperation between scientific institutions, uniting the efforts of scholars and researchers. Our common interests encompass the study of historical heritage, the implementation of programs for young specialists, and the development of joint projects. The current conference creates additional opportunities for achieving these goals.

Necessary conditions have already been established to develop such interaction. Diplomatic channels have been opened, scientific exhibitions are operating, and opportunities for showcasing cultural heritage are expanding. I am confident that the Center for Islamic Civilization will become a unique platform for meaningful dialogue and will serve to further strengthen scientific, cultural, and humanitarian ties between Baku and Tashkent, the Ambassador noted.

Director of the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan Firdavs Abdukhalikov, presented the core activities of the institution, highlighting its educational mission, the study of ancestral heritage, and the transmission of historical knowledge to future generations.

The ties between our peoples originated long before the spread of Islam. In the subsequent centuries, the Islamic civilization infused them with new substance, facilitating the development of scientific and cultural exchange. Scholars adopted each other's experiences, manuscripts circulated between countries and scientific ideas were further advanced in various intellectual centers.

This is evidenced by the scientific traditions of Ibn Sina and his Azerbaijani disciple Bahmanyar, the activities of Nasir al-Din al-Tusi in Maragheh, and the astronomical school of Mirzo Ulugbek in Samarkand.

A special place in the history of cultural interaction is occupied by literary heritage. “Khamsa” of Nizami Ganjavi inspired Alisher Navoi to create his own masterpiece in the Turkic language. The works of Navoi, in turn, exerted a notable influence on the Azerbaijani poet Kishvari. It is symbolic that in one of the manuscripts preserved in Tashkent, the works of Navoi and Fuzuli are compiled under a single binding. Two great poets belonging to a shared literary tradition are presented in one book.

Today, this historical closeness finds its practical continuation through the mutual trust and joint initiatives of Presidents Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Ilham Aliyev. A vivid example of this was the opening of the Mirzo Ulugbek School in the city of Fuzuli by the heads of the two states.

This project organically blends history and modernity. The city bearing the name of the great poet, the school named after the outstanding scholar, and the children receiving their education there epitomize the continuity of generations. The heritage of our ancestors continues to inspire youth to acquire knowledge and achieve new milestones, Firdavs Abdukhalikov emphasized.

Special attention was paid by the participants to the musical traditions of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan. During the discussions, the historical and cultural commonality of the Azerbaijani mugam and the Uzbek maqom was highlighted, reflecting the centuries-old interaction between national performing arts schools and the spiritual closeness of the two peoples.

First Deputy Chairman of the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan Homidjon Ishmatbekov, elaborated on the role of the religious and educational heritage in strengthening bilateral relations.

Modern cooperation between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan opens up additional prospects for interaction between Central Asia and the Caucasus. Its solid foundation is constituted by the historical commonality, cultural traditions, and spiritual values that have been formed over centuries.

Of particular significance in this context is the heritage of Ahmad Yasawi, Bahauddin Naqshband and Seyid Yahya Bakuvi. Their teachings bear witness to the profound religious and spiritual ties between the Turkic peoples. The ideas of moral perfection, humanism and spiritual development instilled by the great thinkers remain relevant in contemporary society.

Muslim Board of Uzbekistan is interested in expanding interaction with religious institutions and Islamic scholars of Azerbaijan, implementing joint educational initiatives and strengthening spiritual cooperation, Homidjon Ishmatbekov stated.

A significant outcome of the conference was the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan and the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences.

Document provides for the development of partnership ties between scientific institutions, the conducting of joint research, and the expansion of interaction in the field of studying and preserving historical and cultural heritage.

President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences Isa Habibbeyli, noted that the cooperation between the scientific communities of the two countries rests on profound historical traditions and is acquiring new substance thanks to modern joint initiatives.

Our peoples are united by a centuries-old history spanning various eras and the periods of rule of the Temurid, Safavid, Khwarazmian and other states of the region. Over the centuries, common cultural traditions were formed, scientific schools developed, and spiritual ties were strengthened.

Today, this heritage serves as the foundation for implementing joint projects, hosting scientific meetings, and organizing international conferences. Regular contacts among researchers, reciprocal visits and professional dialogue bear witness to the progressive development of academic cooperation.

Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan represents a large-scale project, the significance of which extends far beyond the borders of a single country and encompasses the entire Turkic world. Special attention is drawn to the modern approach to presenting historical heritage, which provides for the use of advanced technologies and formats oriented toward the younger generation.

“I am convinced that the current conference will provide an additional impetus to scientific ties, expand opportunities for joint research activities and contribute to the preservation of our common cultural heritage”, Isa Habibbeyli emphasized.

Conference concluded with a concert program featuring performers of Azerbaijani mugam and Uzbek maqom. The musicians' performances demonstrated the richness of national performing traditions and their shared cultural roots.

International Conference in Baku served as a platform for meaningful scientific dialogue and the development of new areas of cooperation. The agreements reached create a foundation for further studying the common historical heritage, advancing academic exchanges and implementing joint cultural and educational projects.