In the rich tapestry of Persian literature, the ghazal stands as a beacon of mysticism, wisdom, and profound love. Hafez Isfahani, a luminary among Persian poets, masterfully weaves these themes into his poetry, inviting readers to embark on a journey of spiritual and emotional discovery. In this exploration, we delve into one of his captivating ghazals, presenting both the original Persian verses and their English translation, followed by an in-depth analysis.

The Original Ghazal (Persian)

زهی از رخ تو پیدا همه آیت خدایی
ز جمالت آشکارا همه فر کبریایی

نسپردمی دل آسان به تو روز آشنایی
خبریم بودی آن روز اگر از شب جدایی

نبود به بزمت ای شه ره این گدا همین بس
که به کوچهٔ تو گاهی بودم ره گدایی

همه جا به بی‌وفایی مثلند خوب رویان
تو میان خوبرویان مثلی به بی‌وفایی

تو درون پرده خلقی به تو مبتلا ندانم
به چه حیله می‌بری دل تو که رخ نمی‌نمایی

شد از آشناییش جان ز تن و کنون که بینم
دل آشنا ندارد خبری ز آشنایی

گرهی اگر چه هرگز نگشوده‌ام طمع بین
که ز زلف یار دارم هوس گره‌گشایی

همه آرزوی هاتف تویی از دو عالم و بس
همه کام او برآید اگر از درش درآیی

English Translation

From your face shines every sign of divinity,
In your beauty, the splendor of divine majesty is evident.

I wouldn't have easily surrendered my heart to you on the day we met,
Had I known then of the night of separation.

It wasn't enough, O king, that this beggar had no path to your assembly,
But that sometimes I wandered your street in supplication.

Everywhere, beauties are known for their faithlessness;
Among them, you are exemplary in unfaithfulness.

You remain behind the veil, yet many are captivated by you;
How do you steal hearts without revealing your face?

From acquaintance with you, my soul has departed from my body; now I see
The familiar heart has no news of familiarity.

Though I've never untied a knot, observe my desire:
I long to untangle the knots of the beloved's tresses.

All of Hatif's desires are solely you in both worlds;
All his wishes will be fulfilled if you grace his door.

Analysis

Hafez Isfahani's ghazal is a profound meditation on the interplay between divine love, human longing, and the mystic's journey toward spiritual enlightenment. Each couplet unveils a layer of this intricate relationship, blending the earthly with the ethereal.

Divine Manifestation in Beauty

The opening couplet draws a direct connection between the beloved's visage and divine signs:

"From your face shines every sign of divinity,
In your beauty, the splendor of divine majesty is evident."

Here, the beloved's face is not merely a physical attribute but a manifestation of the divine, reflecting the Sufi concept that earthly beauty can serve as a mirror to the divine presence.

The Pain of Love and Separation

The poet reflects on the bittersweet nature of love:

"I wouldn't have easily surrendered my heart to you on the day we met,
Had I known then of the night of separation."

This couplet encapsulates the human experience of love's initial allure, followed by the inevitable pain of separation, a theme prevalent in mystic poetry symbolizing the soul's yearning for union with the divine.

The Seeker's Humility

Hafez portrays the lover's humility and the barriers to divine union:

"It wasn't enough, O king, that this beggar had no path to your assembly,
But that sometimes I wandered your street in supplication."

The imagery of a beggar seeking the king's presence reflects the seeker's humble approach toward the divine, emphasizing the challenges and the devotion required in the spiritual path.

The Paradox of Hiddenness and Attraction

The poet marvels at the beloved's unseen allure:

"You remain behind the veil, yet many are captivated by you;
How do you steal hearts without revealing your face?"

This paradox highlights the mystic belief that the divine, while unseen, profoundly influences and attracts the hearts of devotees, suggesting an intrinsic connection beyond physical perception.

Transformation Through Divine Love

The transformative power of divine acquaintance is evident:

"From acquaintance with you, my soul has departed from my body; now I see
The familiar heart has no news of familiarity."

Engagement with the divine leads to a transcendence of the physical self, indicating a spiritual awakening where previous understandings of the self and the world are surpassed.

Desire for Spiritual Unraveling

The poet expresses a deep yearning:

"Though I've never untied a knot, observe my desire:
I long to untangle the knots of the beloved's tresses."

This metaphor signifies the seeker's aspiration to delve into the mysteries of the divine, with the beloved's hair symbolizing complex spiritual truths awaiting revelation.

Ultimate Fulfillment in Divine Union

The concluding couplet reveals the poet's ultimate aspiration:

"All of Hatif's desires are solely you in both worlds;
All his wishes will be fulfilled if you grace his door."

The poet, referring to himself as Hatif, acknowledges that true fulfillment and the realization of all desires are found in union with the divine, transcending worldly pursuits.

In essence, Hafez Isfahani's ghazal serves as a timeless reflection on the mystic's journey, illustrating how earthly experiences of love and longing are intertwined with the soul's quest for the divine. Through rich imagery and profound metaphors, the poem invites readers to contemplate the deeper dimensions of existence, urging a path toward spiritual enlightenment.