Rationalism and Piety in Shahnameh as the Corner Stone of the Iranian's Identity

Ferdowsiَs Shahnameh is an outstanding literary work dating back to an epoch which is known as the Iranian Renaissance. Samanid kings paid a lot of attention to the revival of Iranians` identity. Shahnameh is one of the most invaluable works, related to the realm of culture and literature, which has glitters during history. This literal masterpiece is concerned not only with literature, language, history, mythology, epics, and fiction but also with thought, insight, and semantics. The thought governing Shahnameh does not belong to Iran solely but to the entire world so that, after so many centuries, it is not out dated yet. This excellence originates from its all-embracing and balanced attitude prevalent in the book and avoidance of go-to- extremes, prejudice and petrifaction which are indicative of an utmost profundity of thinking of its creator. Ferdowsi scrutinizes through strata of Iranian belife during new and ancient periods of time, seeking for fundamentals which bind the cultureand myth to the history with which to reveal their identity. What he finds is wisdom and religion. He believes that rationalism and piety are the basis of Iranian identity. Shahnameh tries to relate the pre-Islamic era to the post-Islamic time and teach the Iranian piety and rationalism. This article is on attempt to shed light on this topic.