Khwāja Shamsu d-Dīn Muhammad Hāfez-e Shīrāzī (1325/1326–1389/1390) known by his pen name Hafez or Hafiz, was a Persian lyric poet, widely known in his time for his writings, known by heart and used as proverbs even today. The group of his works called "Divan-e Hafez" is a popular group of rhyming couplets called ghazals. Ghazals are 6 to 15 couplets, each with Its is well-studied in Persian literature. His poetry falls under the category of "mystic poetry," featuring themes of God, the divine, the beloved, hypocrisy and love.
Hafez was born in Shiraz, Iran. Although Hafez was well-liked and affected much of Persian life and culture, not much is known about Hafiz's life except in anecdotes and legends. It is widely known that Hafiz learn the Qur'an by heart at an early age from hearing his father's recitations, hence the name Hafez, which means "Qur'an."
According to legend, on his way to meet his patron, Haiji Zayn al-Attar, he first saw Shakh-e Nabat, a woman of great beauty who he addressed some of his poems to. He held his first mystic vigil in hopes of solving this problem of unrequited love and instead was encountered by a being identifying himself as an angel. Since this encounter he led a pursuit for spiritual union with the divine.
The turning point in his divine pursuit was said to have occurred at the age of 60, when he began Chilla-nashini, a 40 day-and-night vigil sitting in a self-drawn circle. On the 40th day, on meeting with his patron for their fortieth anniversary, he was offered a cup of wine and attained "Cosmic Consciousness" or "Enlightenment."
There is no definitive collection of his works, translations contain anywhere from 573 to 994 poems. Because of the mysticism behind his poetry and his wit and humor, translations of his work have been complicated, with few successful results. Since being first translated into English in 1771 by William Jones, he influenced many Western writers such as Thoreau, Goethe and Ralph Waldo Emerson. He has also influenced the sphere of metaphysical philosophers and is respected by Hindus, Christians and many others.
Twenty years after his death, the Hafezieh (his tomb) was erected in the Musalla Gardens in Shiraz. Today, October 12 is celebrated as Hafez Day in Iran and his ghazals are widely used in divination to guide the paths and choices of many. W.M. Thackston once said that Hafiz "sang a rare blend of human and mystic love so balanced... that it is impossible to separate one from the other."
For more information visit www.wikipedia.com or www.hafizonlove.com/bio.
Hafez was born in Shiraz, Iran. Although Hafez was well-liked and affected much of Persian life and culture, not much is known about Hafiz's life except in anecdotes and legends. It is widely known that Hafiz learn the Qur'an by heart at an early age from hearing his father's recitations, hence the name Hafez, which means "Qur'an."
According to legend, on his way to meet his patron, Haiji Zayn al-Attar, he first saw Shakh-e Nabat, a woman of great beauty who he addressed some of his poems to. He held his first mystic vigil in hopes of solving this problem of unrequited love and instead was encountered by a being identifying himself as an angel. Since this encounter he led a pursuit for spiritual union with the divine.
The turning point in his divine pursuit was said to have occurred at the age of 60, when he began Chilla-nashini, a 40 day-and-night vigil sitting in a self-drawn circle. On the 40th day, on meeting with his patron for their fortieth anniversary, he was offered a cup of wine and attained "Cosmic Consciousness" or "Enlightenment."
There is no definitive collection of his works, translations contain anywhere from 573 to 994 poems. Because of the mysticism behind his poetry and his wit and humor, translations of his work have been complicated, with few successful results. Since being first translated into English in 1771 by William Jones, he influenced many Western writers such as Thoreau, Goethe and Ralph Waldo Emerson. He has also influenced the sphere of metaphysical philosophers and is respected by Hindus, Christians and many others.
Twenty years after his death, the Hafezieh (his tomb) was erected in the Musalla Gardens in Shiraz. Today, October 12 is celebrated as Hafez Day in Iran and his ghazals are widely used in divination to guide the paths and choices of many. W.M. Thackston once said that Hafiz "sang a rare blend of human and mystic love so balanced... that it is impossible to separate one from the other."
For more information visit www.wikipedia.com or www.hafizonlove.com/bio.