A Comparative Study of the Themes of Zeil Nafthat ol-Masdūr and Arabic Proverbs and Mottos

Zeil Nafthat ol-Masdūr by Najmoddin Abulrajā-e Qomi, who passed away around 584 AD, includes seventeen Seljuk ministers’ biographies, covering from the second period of Qavāmoddin Darguzīni’s ministry to the end of Azīzoddin Kāshi’s ministry. Abulrajā-e Qomi has recorded his observations very diligently in this book. The book is considered to be a primary source for the history of Iraq Seljuk. One of the most important features of this book is the large number of similarities which are between its Persian themes with the Arabic proverbs and mottos which have been seen in Arabic texts. The author of the present paper has made an effort to find some Arabic equivalents and themes for the Persian themes of Zeil Nafthat ol-Masdūr, and depicts the points which are common between this book themes and the Arabic proverbs and mottos.