The Sufi set a trap and opened his hookah pipe, Ghazal 133 by Hafez

By hamed @hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi | 5 4

صوفی نهاد دام و سَرِ حُقِّه، باز کرد

بنیادِ مکر با فلکِ حُقِّه‌باز کرد

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بازیِ چرخ بشکندش بیضه در کلاه

زیرا که عَرضِ شعبده با اهلِ راز کرد

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ساقی بیا که شاهدِ رعنایِ صوفیان

دیگر به جلوه آمد و آغازِ ناز کرد

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این مطرب از کجاست که سازِ عراق ساخت؟

و آهنگ بازگشت به راهِ حجاز کرد

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ای دل بیا که ما به پناهِ خدا رویم

زآنچ آستینِ کوته و دستِ دراز کرد

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صنعت مَکُن که هر که محبت نه راست باخت

عشقش به روی دل درِ معنی فراز کرد

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فردا که پیشگاهِ حقیقت شود پدید

شرمنده رَهرُوی، که عمل بر مجاز کرد

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ای کبک خوش خُرام کجا می‌روی؟ بایست

غَرِّه مشو که گربهٔ زاهد نماز کرد

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حافظ مکن ملامتِ رندان که در ازل

ما را خدا ز زهدِ ریا بی‌نیاز کرد

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Description:

English Translation:
The Sufi set a trap and opened his hookah pipe,
He laid the foundation of deceit with the cheating sky.

May the wheel of fortune break his egg in the hat,
For he displayed his trickery to the people of secrets.

O wine-server, come, for the beautiful witness of the Sufis
Has appeared again and begun to play coy.

Where did this musician come from who made an Iraqi instrument?
And began a melody of return to the path of Hijaz?

O heart, come let us seek refuge in God,
From the one who had short sleeves and a long hand.

Don't be crafty, for whoever didn't win true love
Raised the door of meaning on the face of his heart.

Tomorrow, when the court of truth becomes apparent,
The hypocrite will be ashamed, for he acted upon appearances.

O beautiful partridge, where are you going? Stop.
Don't be deceived that the cat of the ascetic said his prayers.

Hafez, don't blame the revelers, for from eternity
God made us free from hypocritical asceticism.


English Translation for Ghazal

English translation for Ghazal.

متن غزل

Original poem in Persian

hamed
@hamed Aug. 19, 2024, 6:32 p.m.

Explanation of the Ghazal
In this ghazal, Hafez continues his critique of religious hypocrisy and superficial spirituality. He praises the sincerity of love and the true path of spiritual seeking.

hamed
@hamed Aug. 19, 2024, 6:33 p.m.

Key Themes:

Hypocrisy of Religious Figures: Hafez satirizes religious figures who are more concerned with outward appearances and rituals than with inner spiritual development.
The True Path of Spirituality: The poet suggests that true spirituality is found through love, sincerity, and a direct connection to the divine, rather than through rigid adherence to religious rules.
The Futility of Worldly Pursuits: Hafez warns against the dangers of worldly pursuits and the importance of focusing on the spiritual realm.

hamed
@hamed Aug. 19, 2024, 6:33 p.m.

Key Persian terms and nuances:

حقه: Hookah pipe, often used as a symbol of hypocrisy or deceit
عراق: A region in Iraq, often associated with the mystical music of the Sufis
حجاز: The region of Arabia where Mecca and Medina are located, symbolizing the spiritual journey

hamed
@hamed Aug. 19, 2024, 6:33 p.m.

This ghazal is a powerful indictment of religious hypocrisy and a call for genuine spiritual seeking. Hafez's use of vivid imagery and sharp wit make this a particularly memorable and impactful poem.