Professor Mir Jalaluddin Kazzazi's perspective on the Shahnameh, which he considers the shield of victory for the Persian language, and a majestic letter that encapsulates the Iranian culture, character, and thought, as well as the proud history of Iran.
"The late Mohammad Ali Haghighat Semnani was always engaged in study and research, particularly during his retirement. He had a deep love for his homeland, Iran. His book on the nationalization of oil and the victory of Dr. Mohammad Mosaddegh, whose staunch follower he was, is the result of his many years of hard work. For most of his life, he seized every opportunity to collect Persian rhymed proverbs; ultimately, he published a book under the same title (Persian Rhymed Proverbs). This book, some of whose proverbs have been used in speeches by great literary figures, politicians, and Iranian scholars, has gained a special status and has been well-received by professors and researchers. Professor Mohammad Ali Islami Nadushan, in the preface of this book titled 'Iran in the Mirror of its Proverbs,' writes: "Generally, one of the sources of literary masterpieces in our language, and perhaps in any great language, has been that they have contained a certain amount of popular thought and expression, which includes the most natural and spontaneous perceptions. The connection to the fabric of life, which is the desire of every great work, requires that the thoughts that have seeped from the underlying layers of society be utilized." And elsewhere he says, "In my opinion, Mr. Mohammad Ali Haghighat Semnani has written a valuable book about 'Persian Rhymed Proverbs.' In this book, the connection between 'common proverbs' and Persian poetry, as well as the flow of thought from the street to the poet's mind, and vice versa from the poet's solitude to the bustle of the bazaar, has been well shown... One should ponder each of these couplets and proverbs and visualize how each of these short phrases has been condensed, like a cluster of grapes, from a great deal of bitter and sweet life experiences."
Regarding the Shahnameh, the Shahnameh has endured more than a thousand years of ups and downs and the bitter and sweet of the ages, and has always been a source of pride for every pure-blooded Iranian. This famous epic has been the late Mohammad Ali Haghighat Semnani's constant companion for over forty years. The great Ferdowsi himself knew that he would find many lovers among the discerning and patriotic, and said: "I have raised a tall palace from poetry that will not be damaged by wind or rain. I will not die from now on because I am alive, for I have scattered the seed of speech." Wherever this seed fell on a soft and kind heart and a thoughtful mind, a free and evergreen cypress tree grew. "The Shahnameh, the Shield of Victory of the Persian Language" is one of the sweet fruits of Ferdowsi's "seed of speech." The author of this book has taken Ferdowsi himself as a model for his pleasant words and narratives of his time: "Learn words from Ferdowsi now, pure and pleasant words." He has linked the qualities of the Shahnameh's heroes with the qualities of the free fighters and speakers of our time, and has made the delightful stories of the Shahnameh more enjoyable for today's youth. The author of the book says, "Ferdowsi's religion was the religion of humanity, love, and love for the homeland." I, Parviz Haghighat, who have myself read the Shahnameh with this brother for many years and pondered every verse of the Shahnameh, say: "May you be happy, brother, for you spoke the truth." If we try to tie Ferdowsi's thoughts to superstitions and religion, we have done injustice to this great man of Iran. Dr. Mir Jalaluddin Kazzazi, in a preface he wrote for this book, says: "A thick and voluminous book that is the result of the author's deep attachment, belief, and passionate and long-standing effort, and his constant connection to the Shahnameh. The late Mohammad Ali Haghighat Semnani has brought his readings, research, and findings in this magnificent masterpiece, and without any hesitation or reluctance, has placed it before eager readers."
Read the Shahnameh of the late Mohammad Ali Haghighat Semnani, who has always been my companion and guide in life, and enjoy the words of the great Ferdowsi and the sweet narratives of the author. In conclusion, I commend the efforts of the son of that late scholar, the dear Darius, who is himself a professor of political science at a university, and for keeping his father's name alive in a worthy manner. He has published these two books with the help and commendable cooperation of Dr. Sohrab Saadaldin - our cousin's grandson - in our beloved homeland of Iran, and made them available to cultural institutions and those who seek them.
With wishes for victory, Parviz Haghighat September 1400"