Let that busybody fault me for revelry and love, Ghazal 188 by Hafez
Let that busybody fault me for revelry and love, Ghazal 188 by Hafez
By
@hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi
مرا به رندی و عشق، آن فضول عیب کُنَد
که اعتراض بر اسرارِ علمِ غیب کُنَد
***
کمالِ سِرِّ محبت ببین، نه نقصِ گناه
که هر که بی‌هنر اُفتَد، نظر به عیب کُنَد
***
ز عطرِ حورِ بهشت آن نَفَس برآید بوی
که خاکِ میکدهٔ ما عَبیر جِیب کُنَد
***
چنان زَنَد رَهِ اسلام غمزهٔ ساقی
که اجتناب ز صهبا، مگر صُهیب کُنَد
***
کلیدِ گنجِ سعادت قبولِ اهلِ دل است
مباد آن که در این نکته شَکُّ و رِیب کُنَد
***
شبانِ وادیِ اِیمن گَهی رسد به مراد
که چند سال به جان، خدمتِ شُعیب کند
***
ز دیده خون بِچکانَد فِسانهٔ حافظ
چو یادِ وقتِ زمانِ شَباب و شِیب کُنَد
***
Description:
English Translation:
Let that busybody fault me for revelry and love,
Who would object to the secrets of divine knowledge.
See the perfection of the secret of love, not the defect of sin,
For whoever lacks skill looks for faults.
From the fragrance of the houris of paradise, that breath arises,
Which makes the dust of our tavern smell like ambergris.
The wine-server's glance strikes the path of Islam so,
That only Suhayb would abstain from wine.
The key to the treasure of happiness is the acceptance of the people of the heart,
May it never be that one doubts or hesitates in this matter.
The night traveler of the safe valley may sometimes attain his desire,
If he serves Shuayb for years.
Hafez sheds blood from his eyes, telling tales,
When he remembers the time of youth and old age.
Explanation of the Ghazal
In this ghazal, Hafez defends his pursuit of love and wine, often seen as vices in traditional religious contexts. He argues that these pursuits, when undertaken with the right intentions, can lead to a deeper understanding of the divine.
Key Themes:
Love and Spirituality: Hafez equates love and spiritual experiences, suggesting that they are interconnected.
Criticism of Hypocrisy: The poet criticizes those who judge others based on appearances or superficial understandings of religion.
The Path of the Mystic: He alludes to the mystical path, where the seeker may encounter both joy and suffering.
Key Persian terms and nuances:
فضول: Busybody, someone who meddles in others' affairs
عِلمِ غیب: Knowledge of the unseen, divine knowledge
حور: Houris, beautiful maidens in paradise
صُهیب: A companion of the Prophet Muhammad known for his piety
This ghazal is a beautiful example of Hafez's mystical poetry, where the earthly and the divine intertwine. The poet uses rich imagery and symbolism to convey a sense of divine love and unity.