New Rubaei Posted: Quatrain 16 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
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Quatrain 16 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
Description: English Translation of the Quatrain
O flowing tear, tell my heart's delight,
Of that garden, that spring, and that sight.
When you recall my nights, those nights of mine,
Don't think of my rudeness, my ill-timed line.
Analysis of the Quatrain
The Tear as a Messenger: The poet personifies a tear and asks it to carry a message to his beloved. This is a common poetic device used to express deep emotions.
The Garden, Spring, and Sight: These images evoke a sense of beauty, joy, and paradise, often used in Persian poetry to symbolize spiritual enlightenment or the beloved.
Nights and Rudeness: The poet seems to be reflecting on past encounters with his beloved, possibly moments where he may have said or done something he regrets.
Forgiveness: The final line suggests a plea for forgiveness, asking the beloved not to dwell on any past mistakes or "rudeness".
New Hekayat Posted: Hekayat 2 from Chapter 7 of Golestan of Saadi
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Hekayat 2 from Chapter 7 of Golestan of Saadi
A wise man was advising his sons, saying, "Beloved children, seek skills and knowledge, for the wealth and power of this world cannot be relied upon. Gold and silver are exposed to danger on journeys; a thief may take it all at once, or a master may squander it bit…
New Ghazal Posted: Do not let go of our hand. Ghazal 2 from Saadi
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Do not let go of our hand. Ghazal 2 from Saadi
Description: Love and Separation: This ghazal is a poignant expression of love, longing, and the pain of separation.
Imagery: Saadi uses vivid imagery, such as the "caravan of night" and the "bird of Solomon," to create a rich and evocative atmosphere.
Emotional Intensity: The poet's emotions range from hope to despair, from love to anger.
Sufi Undertones: While not overtly Sufi, the poem contains elements of Sufi mysticism, such as the quest for the beloved and the longing for unity.
New Rubaei Posted: Quatrain 15 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
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Quatrain 15 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
Description: O One whom the moon, the night's companion, could not find
From your moon, the night wanderer receives gifts
Although the horizon is red with the glow of dawn
Your yellow face is still praised
O One whom the moon, the night's companion, could not find": This line suggests that the beloved is so luminous and radiant that even the moon, a celestial body known for its brightness, cannot compare.
From your moon, the night wanderer receives gifts": This line implies that the night, personified as a wanderer, receives gifts or blessings from the beloved's radiance.
Although the horizon is red with the glow of dawn": This line refers to the beautiful, reddish hue of the sky at dawn.
Your yellow face is still praised": Despite the beauty of the dawn, the beloved's face, which is often associated with a pale or yellowish complexion in Persian poetry, is still praised and admired.
New Rubaei Posted: Quatrain 14 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
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Quatrain 14 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
Description: O One who is like the sun of tomorrow, come
Without you, the garden and its leaves are yellow
The world is full of dust and dirt without you
This gathering of joy is cold without you
O One who is like the sun of tomorrow, come": This line addresses a beloved, comparing them to the rising sun.
Without you, the garden and its leaves are yellow": This line creates a vivid image of a lifeless, colorless world without the presence of the beloved.
The world is full of dust and dirt without you": This line continues the theme of the world's lack of vitality without the beloved.
This gathering of joy is cold without you": This line suggests that any celebration or joy is incomplete without the presence of the beloved.
New Rubaei Posted: Quatrain 13 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
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Quatrain 13 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
Description: First, He played a sweet melody upon me
Finally, He broke me with a thousand sorrows
Like a chess player, He moved me as His pawn
When I became entirely Him, He discarded me
"First, He played a sweet melody upon me": This line suggests that God initially showered the speaker with blessings and favors.
Finally, He broke me with a thousand sorrows": This line indicates a shift in the speaker's experience, from joy to sorrow.
Like a chess player, He moved me as His pawn": This line implies that the speaker was being manipulated or guided by a higher power.
When I became entirely Him, He discarded me": This line suggests a state of complete union with the divine, followed by a sense of detachment or abandonment.
New Rubaei Posted: Quatrain 12 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
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Quatrain 12 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
Description: Oh friend, how much better is the fig seller
Than selling figs, my brother, dear friend
We live drunk and drunk we die, oh soul
Together, drunk, we run, running to the Judgment Day, oh soul
"Oh friend, how much better is the fig seller": This line sets up a comparison between the fig seller and someone else.
Than selling figs, my brother, dear friend": This continues the comparison, suggesting that there is something more valuable than simply selling figs.
We live drunk and drunk we die, oh soul": This line introduces a theme of spiritual intoxication, suggesting a state of ecstasy or bliss.
Together, drunk, we run, running to the Judgment Day, oh soul": This final line emphasizes a sense of urgency and spiritual longing, suggesting that we are all rushing towards a final destination.
New Rubaei Posted: Quatrain 11 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
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Quatrain 11 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
Description: Alas, it's too late and we are alone
In an ocean whose shores are unseen
A ship, night, and storm, and we are drowning
In God's ocean, by God's grace and blessing
"Alas, it's too late and we are alone": This line expresses a sense of regret or loss, suggesting that a precious opportunity has passed.
In an ocean whose shores are unseen": This line creates a metaphor of life as a vast and unknown sea, implying a sense of being lost or adrift.
A ship, night, and storm, and we are drowning": This line paints a picture of a perilous journey, emphasizing the challenges and dangers of life.
In God's ocean, by God's grace and blessing": This final line offers a sense of hope and surrender, suggesting that ultimately, our fate is in the hands of a higher power.
New Rubaei Posted: Quatrain 10 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
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Quatrain 10 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
Description: English translation:
"From the remembrance, much light increases the moon
It brings the misguided onto the path of truth
Make this saying, 'There is no god but God,'
your morning and evening prayer
"From the remembrance, much light increases the moon": This line suggests that the constant repetition of divine remembrance (dhikr) can illuminate one's spiritual path, much like the moon is illuminated by the sun.
It brings the misguided onto the path of truth": This line implies that sincere remembrance can guide those who are lost or astray back to the right path.
Make this saying, 'There is no god but God,' your morning and evening prayer": This line is a direct instruction to the reader to make the declaration of monotheism a constant part of their spiritual practice.
New Rubaei Posted: Quatrain 9 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
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Quatrain 9 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
Description: From the unseen darkness of the days
From afar, not having seen the hell of lovers
They claim the checkmate of the beloved's love
What does love have to do with the fortunate ones?
"From the unseen darkness of the days": This line refers to the uncertainties and challenges of life, often seen as a dark and mysterious journey.
From afar, not having seen the hell of lovers": This line alludes to the intense pain and suffering that can accompany love, comparing it to the torments of hell.
They claim the checkmate of the beloved's love": This line suggests that people often boast about their love for someone, claiming to have "checkmated" or conquered that love.
What does love have to do with the fortunate ones?": This line poses a rhetorical question, suggesting that those who are fortunate or successful in life may not truly understand the depths of love and its associated pain.
New Rubaei Posted: Quatrain 8 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
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Quatrain 8 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
Description: From the wine of pure ruby, our essence was formed
Our cup cried out from our hands
Because we constantly drank wine upon wine
We became wine in the wine, and the wine in us
"From the wine of pure ruby, our essence was formed": This line suggests that our spiritual essence or soul is derived from a divine source, often symbolized by wine in Sufi poetry.
Our cup cried out from our hands": This line implies a sense of longing or yearning, as if the cup itself is pleading for more of the divine wine.
Because we constantly drank wine upon wine": This line emphasizes the idea of continuous spiritual seeking and intoxication.
We became wine in the wine, and the wine in us": Here, Rumi expresses a state of complete union with the divine, where the individual self and the divine become one.
New Rubaei Posted: Quatrain 7 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
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Quatrain 7 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
Description: From the fire of love in the world's heat
And from the lion's milk of loyalty, there is softness
From that moon of which the sun is ashamed
How shameless is the man who is shameless
"From the fire of love in the world's heat": This line suggests that the intensity of love can be likened to the heat of the world, implying a passionate and consuming love.
And from the lion's milk of loyalty, there is softness": This line is more metaphorical, suggesting that even within the fierceness of loyalty, there is a tender, nurturing quality.
From that moon of which the sun is ashamed": This line refers to a divine or spiritual beauty so radiant that even the sun pales in comparison.
How shameless is the man who is shameless": This line is a commentary on human nature, suggesting that those who lack shame or modesty are spiritually impoverished.
New Rubaei Posted: Quatrain 6 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
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Quatrain 6 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
Description: English translation:
Let your voice be the nature of our heart
Joyful and resonant, day and night
If your voice grows weary, we too will be weary
May your voice be like the sweet reed flute
"Let your voice be the nature of our heart": This line suggests that the beloved's voice should be the very essence of the speaker's heart, a constant and integral part of their being.
Joyful and resonant, day and night": This line expresses a desire for the beloved's voice to be ever-present, bringing joy and harmony.
If your voice grows weary, we too will be weary": Here, the speaker implies a deep connection and interdependence with the beloved, suggesting that their happiness is tied to the beloved's well-being.
May your voice be like the sweet reed flute": This line compares the beloved's voice to the melodious sound of a reed flute, a traditional Persian instrument often associated with spiritual music.
New Hekayat Posted: Don't be an Obedient Donkey
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Don't be an Obedient Donkey
In a village at the foot of a tall mountain, a farmer lived. Every morning, he would ride his donkey to his field and orchard, where he would work until sunset. One morning, he decided to visit his friend in the neighboring village. He put on his new clothes, mounted…
New Video Posted: Old Man and Young Bride Hekayat from Golestan of Saadi
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Old Man and Young Bride Hekayat from Golestan of Saadi
Description: An old man recounts that he had married a young woman, adorned his room with flowers, and sat with her in solitude, gazing at her and becoming enamored. He would stay awake through long nights, exchanging jokes and witty remarks in the hope that she would feel at ease and lose her uneasiness...
New Video Posted: Finding Bliss Beyond Worry: A Lesson from Rumi
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Finding Bliss Beyond Worry: A Lesson from Rumi
Description: In the endless stream of life, it's all too easy to get swept up in the currents of stress, anxiety, and overthinking. We often find ourselves consumed by thoughts of the past or future, worrying about situations we cannot control. But centuries ago, the great Sufi poet Rumi shared a powerful antidote to this condition in a simple yet profound quatrain from his Rubaiyat.
New Video Posted: A cup of wine in hand is worth thousands of promises in the future, Omar Khayyam
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A cup of wine in hand is worth thousands of promises in the future, Omar Khayyam
Description: The world often promises us grand futures, telling us to chase after dreams of distant rewards, lofty goals, and eventual happiness. We’re told that life’s pleasures and contentment lie somewhere in the future, waiting for us. Sometimes religious preachers ask us to sacrifice our present life for the next life they promise is full of joy and pleasures. But the renowned Persian poet and philosopher Omar Khayyam offers a different perspective in one of his Rubaiyat quatrains, reminding us that the present moment may hold more value than all the promises of tomorrow.
New Blog Post: Hafez's Poetry and the Spiritual Journey of Love
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Hafez's Poetry and the Spiritual Journey of Love
Hafez Shirazi, one of the most revered poets of Persian literature, is celebrated for his masterful ghazals that explore themes of love, spirituality, and the human experince of worldly life and love. His poetry often intertwines the physical and the divine, using metaphors of wine, love, and nature to express…
New Blog Post: Embracing the Present: A Lesson from Omar Khayyam
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Embracing the Present: A Lesson from Omar Khayyam
The world often promises us grand futures, telling us to chase after dreams of distant rewards, lofty goals, and eventual happiness. We’re told that life’s pleasures and contentment lie somewhere in the future, waiting for us. But the renowned Persian poet and philosopher Omar Khayyam offers a different perspective in…
New Blog Post: Finding Bliss Beyond Worry: A Lesson from Rumi
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Finding Bliss Beyond Worry: A Lesson from Rumi
In the endless stream of life, it's all too easy to get swept up in the currents of stress, anxiety, and overthinking. We often find ourselves consumed by thoughts of the past or future, worrying about situations we cannot control. But centuries ago, the great Sufi poet Rumi shared…
New Novel Description Posted: Night of the Carpet Weavers
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Night of the Carpet Weavers
"Night of the Carpet Weavers" by S. Ghaderi is a deeply moving novel that weaves together themes of love, loss, and resilience, set against the rich cultural backdrop of Iran's textile industry. The story follows the lives of several characters, each grappling with their own struggles, yet all connected by…
New Hekayat Posted: Hekayat 1 from Chapter 7 of Gplenstan of Saadi Shirazi
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Hekayat 1 from Chapter 7 of Gplenstan of Saadi Shirazi
A minister had a son who was dull-witted. He sent him to a scholar, saying, "Educate him and perhaps he will become wise." The scholar instructed him for a while, but it had no effect. The scholar sent a message to the father, saying, "This boy will not become wise,…
New Ghazal Posted: At the beginning of this book, in the name of the knowing God, Ghazal 1 from Saadi
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At the beginning of this book, in the name of the knowing God, Ghazal 1 from Saadi
Description: The first Ghazal from Divan of Saadi Shirazi.
This beautiful ghazal by Saadi Shirazi praises the wisdom and greatness of the Creator. It opens by acknowledging God as the omniscient and omnipotent maker of the universe. It marvels at the beauty and perfection of God's creation, from the simplest creatures like insects to the mighty elements of nature.
The poem emphasizes the notion of divine providence, stating that every being, no matter how insignificant, receives its sustenance from God. It highlights the intricacies of creation, such as the transformation of water into honey by bees and the growth of a palm tree from a tiny seed. Saadi reflects on how even the smallest needs of creatures are known and provided for by the omniscient God.
In conclusion, Saadi humbly acknowledges the limitations of human understanding and language in fully expressing the magnitude of God's greatness. He admits that while he speaks to the best of his understanding, the true essence of divine perfection is beyond human comprehension.
New Rubaei Posted: Quatrain 5 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
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Quatrain 5 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
Description: English Translation:
When the entire ocean becomes my essence
The beauty of my particles will become clear
For this reason, I burn like a candle, so that on the path of love
All my moments may become one
"When the entire ocean becomes my essence": This line suggests a state of complete unity with the divine, where the individual self merges with the cosmic consciousness.
The beauty of my particles will become clear": This implies that when one achieves this state of unity, the true nature and beauty of their existence will be fully revealed.
For this reason, I burn like a candle, so that on the path of love": Here, Rumi compares himself to a candle, suggesting a selfless devotion to love. The burning indicates a spiritual yearning and sacrifice.
All my moments may become one": This line implies a desire for a timeless state of being, where the boundaries of time and space dissolve.
New Rubaei Posted: Quatrain 4 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
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Quatrain 4 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
Description: English Translation:
That ruby of speech which gives life to coral
Without color, what color does it give to the soul?
It provides fuel for the torch of faith
We have said it much, and yet not said it
“That ruby of speech which gives life to coral: This line refers to the poet’s words, which are seen as precious and life-giving, comparable to a ruby that brings life to coral.
Without color, what color does it give to the soul?”: This question emphasizes the transformative power of the poet's words, suggesting that they can color and shape the soul.
It provides fuel for the torch of faith: This line indicates that the poet’s words ignite and sustain spiritual belief.
We have said it much, and yet not said it: This final line suggests the paradoxical nature of trying to articulate the divine or spiritual experiences. No matter how much is said, there is always more to be understood.
New Rubaei Posted: Quatrain 3 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
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Quatrain 3 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
Description: English translation:
He who paints your image only him;
He will not leave you alone in this marketplace of desires
In the house of your image, meaning your heart,
two hundred beautiful companions are planted
"He who paints your image only him; He will not leave you alone in this marketplace of desires: This line suggests a divine artist who creates each individual soul and ensures their companionship. The "marketplace of desires" might refer to the material world or the complexities of human existence.
"In the house of your image, meaning your heart, two hundred beautiful companions are planted: This line implies that the human heart, being a reflection of the divine, is capable of experiencing a multitude of beautiful emotions and connections. The number "two hundred" is likely symbolic, representing an abundance.
New Rubaei Posted: Quatrain 2 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
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Quatrain 2 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
Description: English translation:
That candle of your face is not a lamp without oil, come forth
And that image of yours is not drawn in water, come forth
Do not hide yourself in anger
For that beauty of yours cannot be hidden, come forth
New Video Posted: Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 072
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Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 072
Description: Ghazal 072 from Divan of Hafez
The path of love is a way with no shore,
There, there is no choice but to surrender one's life.
Whenever you give your heart to love, it is a moment of joy,
In a good deed, there is no need for divination.
Don't scare us with the prohibition of reason and bring us wine,
For that officer has no power in our realm.
Ask your own eyes who is killing us,
My dear, it is not the fault of fate or the crime of the stars.
One can see him with pure eyes like the crescent moon,
Every eye is not a place for the manifestation of that moonlit piece.
Count the opportunity of the way of the rogue, for this sign
Like the path to treasure, is not clear to everyone.
Hafez's tears have not touched your heart in any way,
I am bewildered by that heart, which is harder than stone.
New Video Posted: Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 071
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Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 071
Description: Ghazal 071 from Divan of Hafez
The outwardly pious know nothing of our state,
Whatever they say about us is of no consequence.
Whatever comes to the seeker on the path is good for them,
On the straight path, O heart, no one is lost.
Let's see what game fate will play, we'll move the pawn,
In the chessboard of the revelers, there's no room for a king.
What is this high, simple ceiling with so many designs?
No wise person in the world knows the answer to this riddle.
O Lord, what is this self-sufficiency and what is this all-powerful wisdom,
That there are so many hidden wounds and no room for a sigh?
The owner of our book, it seems, doesn't know the calculation,
That in this seal, there's no sign of "for the sake of God."
Let whoever wants to come, and say whatever they want,
There's no pride, arrogance, doorkeeper, or porter at this gate.
Going to the winehouse is the work of the sincere,
The self-serving have no way to the sellers of wine.
Whatever there is, is from our ill-formed, awkward stature,
Otherwise, your stature would not be lowered for anyone.
I am the old servant of the tavern whose kindness is constant,
Otherwise, the kindness of the sheikh and the ascetic comes and goes.
If Hafez doesn't sit on the throne, it's because of his noble character,
A lovesick sufferer isn't bound by wealth and status.
New Video Posted: Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 070
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Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 070
Description: Ghazal 070 from Divan of Hafez
My eyes, weary of the world, see nothing but your face,
My wandering heart remembers none but you.
My tears tie the pilgrim's ihram around your sanctuary,
Though my broken heart's blood is not pure for a moment.
Bound by the snare and cage of the wind like a wild bird,
The bird of the celestial tree, even if it seeks you, is not a bird.
If a penniless lover offers their heart,
Don't blame them for not being able to pay cash for their soul.
Eventually, whoever is not lacking in determination to seek you
Will reach that lofty cypress.
I will never speak of the life-giving breath of Jesus,
For no one is as skilled as your lips in animating the spirit.
I who do not sigh in the fire of my longing for you,
How can it be said that my heart is patient with this wound?
The first day I saw your flowing locks, I said,
That the disorder of this chain will never end.
It's not only Hafez's heart that is tied to your connection,
Who is there whose heart doesn't remember your bond?
New Video Posted: Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 069
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Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 069
Description: Ghazal 069 from Divan of Hafez
There's no one who isn't captivated by those twin locks of yours,
Who passes by without being ensnared by misfortune?
Since your eyes steal hearts from the solitary,
Being with you isn't a sin on our part.
Your face must be a mirror of divine grace,
Indeed, it is so, and there's no hypocrisy in this face.
The narcissus seeks the style of your eye, what an eye!
The poor flower knows nothing of pride and shyness in its gaze.
For God's sake, don't braid your hair, for we have
No night without a hundred cries with the morning breeze.
Return, for without your face, O flame of my heart,
In the gathering of friends, there's no trace of light and purity.
Caring for strangers is the effect of a beautiful remembrance,
My dear, isn't this a rule in your city?
Yesterday I said, "My beloved, keep your promise,"
She said, "O master, you're mistaken, there's no loyalty in this promise."
If the old magician became my guide, what difference would it make?
There's no secret in any head that isn't from God.
What can a lover do if they don't bear the burden of blame?
No brave heart is a shield against the arrows of fate.
In the monastery of the ascetic and in the solitude of the Sufi,
Nothing but the corner of your eyebrow is a place of prayer.
O lute, plunged into the blood of Hafez's heart,
Your thought is surely not without the zeal of the Quran and God.
New Video Posted: Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 068
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Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 068
Description: Ghazal 068 from Divan of Hafez
This week my moon departed, and it feels like a year to me,
How can you know the state of separation from you, such a difficult state?
Pupil of the eye saw their own reflection in the grace of your face,
And thought that, that is only a dark mole.
Sweetness still drips from her sugar-like lips,
Even though each of her eyelashes is a skilled killer in coquetry.
O you who are known for your kindness throughout the city,
Alas, what a strange negligence in the matter of strangers!
From now on, there will be no doubt about the purity of my nature,
For your mouth is eloquent in this matter.
They have given me the good news that you will visit us,
Do not change your good intention, for it is a blessed omen.
How can the mountain of sorrow of your separation be endured?
Weary Hafez, whose body is like a reed from wailing.
New Video Posted: Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 067
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Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 067
Description: Ghazal 067 from Divan of Hafez
O Lord, whose candle is this that sets my heart aflame?
My life is consumed, ask who is the beloved of my soul?
Now she is the destroyer of my heart and faith,
With whom does she sleep and who is her companion?
May the wine of her ruby lips never be far from mine,
Who is the comforter of the soul and the giver of the cup?
Ask God who enjoys the fortune of that luminous candle,
And to which moth does it give its light?
Everyone casts a spell on her, but it's unknown,
Whose fairy tale does her delicate heart desire?
O Lord, who is that moon-faced king with a forehead like Venus,
What unique pearl and singular gem is he?
I said, "Alas, for the heart of the mad Hafez without you,"
She smiled and whispered, "Whose madman are you?"
New Video Posted: Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 066
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Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 066
Description: Ghazal 066 from Divan of Hafez
Let the nightingale lament if it pleases the beloved,
For we are both lovesick and our work is to lament.
In a land where a breeze blows from the beloved's tresses,
What place is there for the scent of Tatar musk?
Bring wine so we can dye our garments with color,
For we are drunk on the cup of pride and the name of sobriety.
Dreaming of your locks is not for every novice,
For to go under the chain is the way of the rogue.
There is a subtle secret from which love arises,
And its name is neither ruby lips nor rust-colored mole.
Beauty is not merely the eyes, hair, complexion, or mole,
There are a thousand subtleties in this matter of lovemaking.
True dervishes would not buy for half a coin,
The satin robe of one who is devoid of art.
To reach your threshold is indeed difficult,
Ascension to the sky of sovereignty is arduous.
At dawn, I saw the charm of your eyes in a dream,
What a level of sleep it was, better than waking.
Do not grieve your heart and conclude, Hafez,
For eternal salvation lies in causing little pain.
New Video Posted: Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 065
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Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 065
Description: Ghazal 065 from Divan of Hafez
What is sweeter than pleasure, companionship, gardens, and spring?
Where is the wine-server? Tell me, what is the reason for this delay?
Count every happy moment as precious,
For no one knows what the end of things will be.
Life is tied to a hair; be cautious.
Be the caretaker of yourself; what is the worry of the world?
The meaning of the water of life and the garden of Eden
Is nothing but the side of a stream and sweet wine.
The veiled and the intoxicated are both from the same tribe,
Why should we give our hearts to the coquetry of anyone?
What does the sky know of the secrets behind the veil, be silent!
O claimant, what is your quarrel with the veil-wearer?
If the mistakes and errors of a servant are not considered,
What is the meaning of the forgiveness and mercy of the Forgiver?
The ascetic asked for the wine of the celestial river, and Hafez asked for a cup,
So what is the middle ground between their requests?
New Video Posted: Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 064
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Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 064
Description: Ghazal 064 from Divan of Hafez
Though it's rude to display one's skills before the beloved,
My tongue is silent, yet my heart is full of Arabic verse.
A fairy hides her face, and a devil lurks in her beauty's charm;
My eyes burn in wonder at this strange paradox.
In this garden, a thornless rose has never been plucked, truly;
The light of the Prophet is combined with the flame of a lowly lamp.
Don't ask why the heavens nurture the lowly,
For giving pleasure to them is a baseless excuse.
For half a grain, I would not exchange my place in a tavern or caravanserai,
For me, a bench in the courtyard and the foot of a wine jug is enough.
The beauty of the rose-faced maiden is the light of our eyes, perhaps,
Hidden behind a glass veil and a grape-colored curtain.
I had a thousand wits and manners, O master,
Now that I am a drunken wretch, rudeness is appropriate.
Bring me wine, for Hafez has a thousand complaints,
From the morning's tears to the midnight's plea.
New Video Posted: Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 063
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Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 063
Description: Ghazal 063 from Divan of Hafez
No one has ever seen your face, yet you have a thousand rivals;
You're still in bud, yet a hundred nightingales sing your praises.
If I come to your street, it's not so strange;
For like me, there are thousands of strangers in that land.
In love, a monastery and a tavern are no different;
Wherever there is love, there is a glimpse of the beloved.
Where they make a show of monastic work,
There's the monk's bell and the name of the cross.
Has any lover ever called out without their beloved noticing?
O master, it's not a sickness; if it were, there would be a physician.
Hafez's cry—all this wailing—is not in vain;
There is a strange tale and a wondrous story here.
New Video Posted: Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 062
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Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 062
Description: Ghazal 062 from Divan of Hafez
Welcome, O messenger of the longing ones, bring tidings of the Beloved,
So that I may gladly sacrifice my life for the Beloved’s name.
Ever enamored and infatuated, like a nightingale in a cage,
My parrot-like heart is captivated by the Beloved’s sugar and almonds.
Her tresses are a snare, her mole the bait of that snare, and I,
In hope of a morsel, have fallen into the Beloved’s trap.
My head will never recover from its intoxication until the Day of Resurrection,
Whoever, like me, has taken a sip from the Beloved’s cup from eternity.
I shall not speak much of my longing, for
It would be troublesome to press the Beloved further.
If I could get a handful, I would put it in my eyes like kohl,
The dust of the path that is graced by the Beloved’s steps.
My desire is for union, while the Beloved desires separation,
I have given up my own desire to fulfill the Beloved’s wish.
Hafez burns in the pain of love for the Beloved and remains without remedy,
For there is no cure for the Beloved’s restless pain.
New Video Posted: Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 061
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Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 061
Description: Ghazal 061 from Divan of Hafez
O gentle breeze, if you happen to pass through the beloved's land,
Bring a fragrant breath from the beloved's amber tresses.
I would gladly sacrifice my life in gratitude
If you bring a message from my beloved to me.
And if, by chance, you carry no message from that exalted one,
Then bring a speck of dust from the beloved's door for my eyes.
I, a beggar, longing for union with the beloved—alas,
I can only see the beloved's form in my dreams.
My heart, like a cypress, trembles like a willow
With longing for the beloved's cypress-like stature.
Even though the beloved does not value us,
I would not sell a hair from the beloved's head for the whole world.
What does it matter if the beloved's heart is free from the bonds of sorrow?
For as long as Hafez, the lowly one, is the beloved's slave and servant.
New Video Posted: Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 060
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Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 060
Description: Ghazal 060 from Divan of Hafez
The famed messenger who arrived from the land of the beloved,
Brought a charm for my soul from the musk-scented line of the beloved.
It gladly gives signs of the majesty and beauty of the beloved,
And sweetly tells tales of the honor and dignity of the beloved.
I gave my heart upon hearing the good news, yet I feel ashamed,
For offering my counterfeit coin of love as tribute to the beloved.
Thanks be to God that, with the aid of a generous fate,
All affairs now align with the desires of the beloved.
What say does the revolving heavens or the moon’s orbit have?
They spin and turn according to the will of the beloved.
Even if the storm of turmoil should ravage both worlds,
I and the light of my eyes remain on the path, awaiting the beloved.
O morning breeze, bring me the jewel-like kohl,
From that blessed dust that became the path of the beloved.
We stand at the threshold of love, with heads bowed in need,
Waiting to see who will be graced by the sweet sleep in the embrace of the beloved.
What fear if the enemy speaks ill of Hafez with malicious intent?
Thanks to God, I am not ashamed before the beloved.
New Video Posted: Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 059
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Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 059
Description: Ghazal 059 from Divan of Hafez
I have hope for a kind gesture from my Beloved,
For I have committed a crime, yet I hope for His forgiveness.
I know He will overlook my transgression, for though
He may seem aloof, He is in fact a merciful angel.
We wept so much that everyone who passed by
Said, seeing our tears streaming, "What is this?"
That mouth is nowhere to be seen, I find no trace of it,
There is a curl of hair, but I don’t know what that hair is.
I am amazed by the image of His imagination, how it does not leave
My sight, but constantly washes and scrubs.
Without a word, Your tresses draw my heart,
Who else would dare speak or argue with Your captivating locks?
For a lifetime I’ve smelled the scent of Your tresses,
That fragrance still lingers in my heart’s nostrils.
Hafez, Your troubled state is bad, but
The fragrance of the beloved’s tresses makes Your troubles seem good.
New Video Posted: Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 058
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Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 058
Description: Ghazal 058 from Divan of Hafez
Our devotion and the threshold of the Beloved
Whatever befalls us is a result of our devotion to Him.
I've seen none like the Beloved, though I've compared Him to moon and sun.
I've placed mirrors before the Beloved's face.
What can the gentle breeze say of my narrow heart?
It's as twisted as the petals of a rosebud yearning for you.
I am not a mere jug in this tavern of the wise,
Many a palace in this world is just a pile of stones and jugs.
Did you perhaps comb your amber-scented tresses?
For the wind has become like musk and the dust like amber.
Every flower petal in the meadow is an offering to your face,
Every cypress by the river is sacrificed to your stature.
The eloquent tongue is too weak to describe this yearning,
What hope is there for a broken, useless pen?
Your face has entered my heart, I shall find my desire,
For a good omen follows a good sight.
Hafez's heart is not now inflamed with lust,
But is marked from eternity, like a wild tulip.
New Video Posted: Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 057
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Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 057
Description: Ghazal 057 from Divan of Hafez
That dark-haired one with whom the sweetness of the world resides,
With wine-dark eyes, a smiling lip, and a joyful heart.
Though sweet-tongued kings are many,
She is the Solomon of her time, with the seal of authority.
With a beautiful face, perfect artistry, and a pure heart,
Naturally, the hearts of the pure of both worlds are with her.
The dark mole on her wheat-colored cheek
Holds the secret of that grain which led Adam astray.
My beloved has decided to journey, God help her companions,
What shall I do with my wounded heart, which has its balm in her?
To whom can I say this, that that hard-hearted one
Killed us, but also has the breath of Mary's Jesus?
Hafez is one of the believers, cherish him,
For he has a very generous and noble spirit.
New Video Posted: Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 056
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Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 056
Description: Ghazal 056 from Divan of Hafez
My heart is the tent of his love,
My eye is the mirror of his beauty.
I, who cannot comprehend the two worlds,
Am under the burden of his favor.
You and the Tree of Paradise, and we and the stature of the beloved,
Everyone's thought is according to their worthiness.
If I am stained, what wonder is that?
The whole world is witness to his purity.
How can I be in that sanctuary where the morning breeze
Is the guardian of the sanctity of his privacy?
Let not the sight of my eye be without his thought,
For this corner is the place of his solitude.
Every new flower that adorns the meadow
Is from the effect of his color and fragrance.
Majnun's turn has passed, and now it is our turn,
Everyone has their turn for five days.
The kingdom of love and the treasure of joy,
Whatever I have is due to the blessing of his endeavor.
If my heart and I are sacrificed, what does it matter?
The goal is the safety of his well-being.
Do not see my outward poverty, for Hafez
Has a heart that is a treasure trove of his love.
New Video Posted: Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 055
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Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 055
Description: Ghazal 055 from Divan of Hafez
The curve of your tresses is a snare for both faith and disbelief,
A mere glimpse of your beauty is proof of this.
Your beauty is a miracle of loveliness, but
The tale of your glances is a clear enchantment.
Who can bear the life from your coquettish eyes?
They are always on the lookout with their bow.
A hundred blessings on those black eyes
Which are so magical in slaying lovers.
What a science is the science of love's celestial sphere
Where the eighth heaven is the seventh earth.
Do you think the slanderer has gone and taken your life?
His reckoning is with the noble scribes.
Hafez, do not feel safe from the snare of her tresses,
For she has stolen hearts and is now in the bonds of religion.
New Video Posted: Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 054
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Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 054
Description: Ghazal 054 from Divan of Hafez
My eyes, filled with tears, are bloodshot,
See how the people are in their longing for you.
Thinking of your ruby lips and your wine-drunk eyes,
From the cup of sorrow, I drink a ruby wine of blood.
If the sun of your beauty rises from the east of the mountain pass,
My fortune will be auspicious.
The tale of your sweet lips is the speech of Farhad,
The curl of your tresses is the station of Majnun.
Seek my heart, for your stature is like a cypress that attracts hearts,
Speak, for your words are delicate and harmonious.
O saki, bring me relief from afar with a cup of wine,
For the pain in my heart is from the cruelty of the turning sky.
Since the day the beloved river left my eyes,
The hem of my garment is like the Jihun River.
How can my sorrowful heart be happy?
By choice, when it is beyond my control.
Hafez, in his unconsciousness, seeks his beloved,
Like a pauper who demands the treasure of Qarun.
New Video Posted: Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 053
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Ghazaliyat of Hafez Ghazal 053
Description: Ghazal 053 from Divan of Hafez
I am one who finds the corner of the tavern his monastery,
The prayer of the Magian sage is my morning incantation.
If I have not the morning song of the lute, what does it matter?
My tune at dawn is the sigh of my apology.
I am free from king and beggar, thanks be to God,
A beggar at my beloved's door, a king is my state.
My purpose in mosque and tavern is your union,
God is my witness, I have no other thought.
Unless the sword of fate strikes my tent, or not,
Fleeing from the door of fortune is not my custom or way.
Since the day I set my face toward this threshold,
The summit of the sun's throne has been my resting place.
Though sin was not our choice, Hafez,
Be polite on the path, say that it is my sin.
I am excited to announce the completion of my new translation project: Ghazals of Hafez Shirazi. This collection of Hafez's most celebrated poems offers a fresh and accessible rendering of the Persian master's work into English.
Hafez, a 14th-century Persian poet and Sufi mystic, is renowned for his lyrical beauty, profound insights, and evocative imagery. His ghazals, with their themes of love, loss, and the spiritual journey, continue to captivate readers worldwide.
My translation aims to capture the essence of Hafez's poetry while remaining faithful to the original text. I have strived to convey the nuances of his language, the richness of his imagery, and the depth of his spiritual insights.
I hope that this translation will introduce new readers to the beauty and wisdom of Hafez's poetry and inspire a deeper appreciation for his work.
