*Hafez of Shiraz: The Poet of Mysticism and Eternal Love* ✨

Explore the life and legacy of Shams alDin Mohammad Hafez, one of the most celebrated poets in Persian literature. Known as "Lesan alGheib" (The Tongue of the Unseen), Hafez's ghazals blend themes of divine love, mysticism, and wisdom, offering profound insights into the nature of existence, love, and the human soul.

Born in 726 A.H. in the beautiful city of Shiraz, Hafez lived through turbulent political times, from the reign of the Inju and Muzaffarid dynasties to the invasion of Timur (Tamerlane). Yet, he remained a powerful voice of spiritual freedom and defiance against religious hypocrisy.

Discover how Hafez’s mastery of the ghazal transformed Persian poetry into an expression of worldly and mystical love. His works continue to resonate across cultures, making him a cherished figure in Iran and worldwide. His tomb, Hafezieh, in Shiraz is a pilgrimage site for lovers of literature and spirituality.

Join us as we delve into Hafez’s timeless poetry, which has influenced global literary giants like Goethe, and explore why his Divan is a treasured text for Iranians, often used for divination and reflection on life’s mysteries.

1. "O cupbearer, turn the cup and let us drink,
For love seemed easy at first, but difficulties arose."

2. "In the hope that the breeze will eventually untangle that dark lock of hair,
How much blood did it cause in hearts with its curled black locks!"

3. "What safety do I have in the beloved's abode? When at every moment,
The bell calls out: 'Pack up the caravans!'"

4. "Dye your prayer mat with wine if the Magian elder instructs you so,
For the seeker is not ignorant of the ways of the journey."

5. "In the night, with fear of waves and a terrifying whirlpool,
How could those who walk lightly on the shore understand our state?"

6. "All my actions led to disgrace due to my selfishness,
How could that secret remain hidden, the one from which gatherings are made?"

7. "Where is righteousness, and where am I, the ruined one?
Look at the difference from where to where the path leads."

8. "My heart is tired of the monastery and the hypocritical cloak,
Where is the Magian temple and the pure wine?"

9. "What relation is there between piety and sincerity?
Where is the sermon compared to the melody of the lute?"

10. "How can the heart of the enemy understand the face of the friend?
Where is a dead lamp compared to the sun's candle?"

11. "Do not gaze upon the dimple of the chin, for a pit lies in the path,
Where are you rushing to, O heart? Where?"

12. "It's gone, may the memory of it be sweet, the time of union,
Where did that charm go, and where did that reproach go?"

13. "If that Shirazi Turk takes my heart in her hand,
I would give away Samarkand and Bukhara for her Indian mole."

14. "Alas, these bold and sweet cityruining gypsies,
Have stolen patience from the heart just like the Turks do with the spoils of a feast."

15. "Our incomplete love does not affect the beloved's beauty,
What need does a beautiful face have for color, mole, and line?"

16. "I understood from that increasing beauty which Joseph possessed,
That love would bring Zulaikha out from behind the veil of innocence."

17. "Listen to advice, dear, for the fortunate youth hold dear,
The counsel of the wise elder more than life itself."

18. "Speak of the minstrel and wine, and seek the secrets of the world less,
For no one has opened or will open this riddle with wisdom."

19. "My heart is slipping from my grasp, O people of heart, for God's sake,
Alas, the hidden secret will soon be revealed."

20. "The peace of both worlds can be explained in these two words:
Kindness towards friends, tolerance towards enemies."

**Highlights**:
Biography of Hafez
Historical context of his life
His relationship with rulers and political upheavals
Key themes in Hafez’s poetry: mysticism, love, and the critique of religious hypocrisy
Influence of Hafez on Persian and world literature

**Famous Ghazal Extract**:
"So often my heart asked for the cup of Jamshid,
What it had, it sought from strangers in vain...”
   / @rumisrevelations  
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