Read a cornerstone of the South Asian madrasa tradition.

“Oh Kind one, pardon our state - it is dire! 

For we have fallen captive to desire.

Our cries for help, you are the one who heeds,

you’re the forgiver of our sinful deeds.

Keep us far from the path of sin and plight,

look past our sins, show us the way that’s right.”

-Saʿdī, Pandnāma, Introduction

The Pandnāma was not a text prepared by Saʿdī himself, rather it is a later compilation of his work, likely intended as a textbook in South Asian madrassas.

Though Persian has declined considerably in the Subcontinent following colonization, this text continues to be read and taught using Urdu translations as an aid. 

Join us as we read the original Persian and translate the text in real time.

Course curriculum

  1. Course Introduction

  2. Introduction to Pandnāma

  3. On Humility, Denouncing Pride, and Not Befriending Ignorants

  4. On Justice and Contentment

  5. Patience, On Honesty, and On Avoiding Depending on Other Than God

  • 5 lessons
  • 3.5 hours of video content

Instructor(s)

Muhammad Ali Mojaradi

Instructor, Translator

Muhammad Ali Mojaradi is a New York-based teacher who studied Arabic in Jordan and Persian in Iran, his native homeland. His debut translation, "The Flame of Love: Rumi's 100 Most Passionate Poems," is distributed by Simon & Schuster.