Hafiz

Hafiz (1320-1391), full name Shamsu'd Din Muhammad Hafiz, was a Persian poet. The name Häfiz denotes a Mohammedan who knows the Korân and the Hadith by heart. He is considered the greatest lyrical poet of Persia, now Iran. He was born in Shiraz. where he spent his life. Contemporaries called him 'Chagarlab' (Sugar Lips) for sensuality of his poetry focusing on love, flowers and wine. He became a Sufi and wrote such kind of poetry that is esoteric. He has been called the Anacreon of Persia. His poetry is of a sensuous character, though the images he employs are interpreted by some in a supersensuous or mystical sense. Goethe composed a series of lyrics in imitation of his poetry.

Wisdom & Quotes

• Everyone, whether he is self-denying or self-indulgent, is seeking after the Beloved.

Every place may be the shrine of love, whether it be mosque or synagogue.
- Divan

• He who has loved related an endless tale,

Here the most eloquent of tongue must fail.

• If, like the prophet Noah, you have patience in the distress of the flood,

Calamity turns aside, and the desire of the thousand years comes forth.

• On the neck of the young man sparkles no gem so gracious as enterprise.

Ulugh Beg