The 14th Century gave the world an amazing gift, a poet who was born in Shiraz/Iran, a master of lyric poetry also known as Gazal, a poet who has inspired generations upon generations of people and who is still considered among the best poets in the world. His poems are translated into many languages and when translated into English, he influenced Western writers such as Goethe, who admired him, I am referring to Shams-ud-din Muhammad Hafiz, better known as Hafez.
My relationship with Hafez and his poems goes back to many years ago. I don’t remember any other poet who has captured my attention to this degree, except for my father’s poems, and over the years, his poetry book finds its place alongside my prayer book on the nightstand next to my bed.
So, how does it work with Hafez? Besides enjoying his poems whenever I want inspiration, he has a book titled Fal-e-Havez. It is a collection of some of his poems, each with very deep mystical meanings. It is what is called a Divination book. This is where you have a peek into the future, and look for hidden knowledge, try to interpret your current situation and look for answers on the way you should take forward. It is as if you are standing at a crossroad, and have no idea which road to take.
Sometimes you seek divine intervention from God, but you cannot always ask Him for help. At some point, you have to find your own way too. For me, this is where Hafez comes to help with his mystical Sufi themes that sometimes feels like supernatural powers are at work. Coming out of difficult situations, and sometimes only by way of consultation, Hafez never let me down, and it is almost unbelievable that with the hundreds of different poems, the one that suits my need has popped out.
Hafez’s poems are mostly based on encouraging love and joy and boycotting hypocrisy and mediocrity. Fal-e-Hafez is available in English too, often accompanied by a footnote explaining the meaning of the poem, after all, such poems can be quite complex with abstract concepts. And this is where we need a bit of help from experts to ease and uncover the meanings.
This book is often placed on traditional table layouts that Persians use to celebrate a special occasion, such as the new year and wedding ceremonies. And as I strongly believe in this book, I often bring it out while among friends and family. I ask them to make a wish or formulate a question they have for Hafez, and they randomly choose a poem. The book is then opened and the poem and its meaning are read. This may sound a bit weird, but if you trust Hafez, he will always give you the answer that suits you.
I will end by quoting one of my favourite Hafez poems which shows love at its highest peak.
‘Look upon all the gold in the world’s Mart, on all the tears the world has shed in vain; shall they not satisfy the craving heart? Shall they not satisfy? I have enough of loss, enough of gain; I have my love, what more can I obtain? Mine is the joy of her companionship whose healing lip is laid upon my lip- This is enough for me’.