The purity of a Sufi's heart is not always genuine, Ghazal 159 by Hafez
The purity of a Sufi's heart is not always genuine, Ghazal 159 by Hafez
By
@hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi
نقدِ صوفی نه همه صافیِ بی‌غَش باشد
ای بسا خرقه که مُستوجبِ آتش باشد
***
صوفیِ ما که ز وِردِ سحری مست شدی
شامگاهش نگران باش که سرخوش باشد
***
خوش بُوَد گر مِحَکِ تجربه آید به میان
تا سِیَه‌روی شود هر که در او غَش باشد
***
خَطِّ ساقی گر از این گونه زند نقش بر آب
ای بسا رُخ که به خونابه مُنَقَّش باشد
***
ناز‌پروردِ تَنَعُّم نَبَرَد راه به دوست
عاشقی شیوهٔ رندانِ بلاکش باشد
***
غمِ دنیای دَنی چند خوری؟ باده بخور
حیف باشد دلِ دانا که مُشَوَّش باشد
***
دلق و سجادهٔ حافظ بِبَرَد باده‌فروش
گر شرابش ز کفِ ساقی مَه‌وَش باشد
***
Description:
English Translation:
The purity of a Sufi's heart is not always genuine,
Many a robe deserves to be set on fire.
Be wary of our Sufi who is intoxicated by morning prayers,
That he might be drunk at nightfall.
It would be good if the touchstone of experience were to come forth,
So that the hypocrisy of whoever has deceit in them is revealed.
If the cupbearer's line draws such a design on water,
Many a face can be painted with blood.
A pampered lover of pleasure will not find the path to a friend,
Love is the way of the carefree and afflicted dervishes.
Why worry about the troubles of this world for a few days? Drink wine,
It is a pity for a wise heart to be confused.
Let the wine seller take Hafez's patched robe and prayer rug,
If his wine is from the hand of the moon-faced cupbearer.
Explanation of the Ghazal
In this ghazal, Hafez critiques hypocrisy and superficial spirituality, while celebrating the path of true love and devotion.
Key Themes:
Hypocrisy: Hafez questions the sincerity of those who outwardly appear pious but may have hidden motives.
The Path of Love: The poet contrasts the superficiality of religious practice with the genuine experience of love and devotion.
Wine as a Metaphor: Wine is used as a metaphor for divine love and spiritual ecstasy.
Key Persian terms and nuances:
صوفی: Sufi, a Muslim mystic
مِحَک: Touchstone
ساقی: Cupbearer, often used as a symbol of divine love.
This ghazal is a beautiful example of Hafez's poetic mastery, combining deep philosophical reflections with vivid imagery. The poet's use of metaphors and similes creates a vivid and evocative picture of the human experience.