Shahid Balkhi

Abul Hasan Shahid ibn Hussain Jahudanaki Balkhi (Persian: ابوالحسن شهيدبن حسين جهودانکي بلخی‎‎) (died, 325 AH - 935) was a Persian theologian, philosopher, poet and sufi. Famous Persian poet Rudaki has a poem in Balkhi's elegy. He was born in Balkh. Shahid Balkhi was contemporary to Ahmed ibn Sahl al-Balkhi and they had connections. He also had conversations with Zakariya al-Razi, the well-known Persian polymath and both had objections toward the nature of the pleasure.

He had poems both in Persian and Arabic languages.

There is a story in Jawami ul-Hikayat, a book written in 630 AH. by Sadiduddin Muhammad Aufi Persian historian, about Shahid Balkhi that indicates his interest in reading and inquiry of knowledge;

Shahid Balkhi was born in the village of Jakhudanak near Balkh. Not much is known about his life, but he is mentioned as being one of the best poets in the court of the Samanid ruler Nasr II (r. 914-943), and one of the best scholars of the age. He was also a student of Rudaki, and had close relations with him. He died in 936, a few years before Rudaki's death. His death saddened Rudaki, who afterwards wrote a emotionally elegy about him.