Ask not what sorrows for love I endure
Ask not of parting poisons that make me impure.
I have traveled the world and in the end
Ask not what lover I willingly allure.
Longing for a vision, at his door
Ask not of the tears that I pour.
With my own ears I heard his last night
Ask not of his words, harsh yet demure.
Bite not your upper lip and speak not
Ask not what sweet lips I may secure.
In my mendicant state without you
Ask not of my pain and need for a cure.
On the path of Love, Hafiz, lost & traceless
Ask not of my standing, high and pure.
We Iranians have an esp love for Hafiz, great Iranian poet. John Payne, who has translated his poem book, regards Hafiz as one of the three greatest poets of the world.
His real name is ‘Shams al-Din Muhammad Shirazi’. He was famous with the nickname of Hafiz, for he had accomplished the task of learning the Qur’an by heart, at an early age and could read it in 14 ways. (Hafiz mean who has memorised Quran)
At the same time Hafez is said to have known by heart, the works of Molana (Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi), Sa’di, Farid al-Din Attar, and Nezami. Hafez poetry would leave a mark on such important Western writers as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Goethe (West-Eastern Divan). The foto above is Hafiz’s tomb in Hafeziyah, Shiraz.
Iranians like to open his book by chance and interpret the poem comes for them, as if it predict their situation and the future. Of course that’s just for fun. But going through his poetry really enlighten heart and gives hope.
You can also try Divination through hafiz poetry here. This above poem is Hafiz’s divination for me.
March 8, 2008 at 11:20 pm
A work colleague who has travelled far and wide told me of his time spent in Iran. He said people sit at Hafiz’s tomb and recite his poetry – the atmosphere is tranquil and peaceful. Recommended it as something one must do or experience when going to Iran
March 9, 2008 at 1:07 am
I havent read anything more beautiful and heart-touching as this.
Such a beauty is unique and rare, I will always remember this piece, keeping it close to my heart.
March 9, 2008 at 1:32 am
Nice.
Unknowingly, HE was with me everywhere
I couldn’t see and my soul seekest HIM, made
March 9, 2008 at 1:35 am
I’ve been reading his poetry lately. Especially if your in love, you really feel it and know what love is all about.
I wish I had the book on me right now, so I could bust a couplet of his.
Anyways in re: the divination, I’ve heard stories about it. How when they were trying to decide whether to bury him as a Muslim (some people thought him an apostate) they opened up his poetry and a verse came that mentioned he was indeed a Muslim so forgive him.
March 9, 2008 at 1:36 am
My divination, very close to what I’ve been thinking lately…just need to see what this means.
O thou, who considers separation of lovers fair
Keep lovers away from your side with your glare
I am thirsty in my desert, lead me to clear waters
With the hope of God’s mercy, this path of yours you forbear.
You stole my heart, dissolved my soul, but
Better than you have treated me, of the others take care.
When my foes drink their wine from my cup
I cannot accept it, if fair you declare.
Listen fly; Phoenix’s flight-path is not your air
You ruin your own name, and us you tire and wear.
Through your own deeds, you are now poor & bare
From complaints & your cries, I beg you, us spare.
Even kings, through their service fill their chair
Hope for nothing, if you will not do your share.
March 9, 2008 at 2:24 am
I love Hafiz.
March 9, 2008 at 2:39 pm
This is what it said, when i thought of my future;
I have said many a time, and I’ll say it once again
Though I move upon this path, another my path maintain.
Behind the veil parrot-like, I am trained and entertain
I repeat what the Master has taught me and had me retain.
If I am a thorn or rose, adorn the grass, it is vain
To think I can grow without the nurturing hand and rain.
O friends, do not think I am heartless and insane
In search of a connoisseur, I am a gem of unique grain.
Though wine with my colorful robe causes many pain
I will not fault the elixir that washes every stain.
The lovers’ laughter and cry many layers do contain
At night I compose, and in the morn cry out my gain.
Hafiz said, from breathing in dust of the tavern do refrain
Fault me not, this is the way that this aroma I regain.
any elaboration??
March 9, 2008 at 4:14 pm
I love Hafiz too. I had no idea he was so popular in Iran, although it is easy to see why.
Wherever God lays His glance, life stars clapping.
March 9, 2008 at 5:46 pm
I had not heard of Hafiz before. I thought of the future too, as I seem to be in an empty place now, and this is what I got:
The messenger who arrived from the land of my friend
Brought a charm, fragrant, and in the hand of my friend.
Wonderfully displayed her beauty and her glory
With the tales of noble and regal stand of my friend.
My heart took in the good news, though coy and shy
My heart readily will serve every command of my friend.
Thank heavens for the help of smiling fate
Runs smooth every errand of my friend.
The revolving orbs and the firmament have no say
They move at every wish and demand of my friend.
If the winds of calamity blow in both worlds
My eyes upon the composure, calm & bland of my friend.
Bring me a rare jewel, O gentle morning breeze
Since you have blown over the very sand of my friend.
We stand in Love’s land, while our needs grand
Sweet dreams never brought a hair strand of my friend.
Hafiz, fear no foes who reprimand my friend
Thank God, I am not ashamed of me and of my friend.
March 9, 2008 at 9:14 pm
that really is beautiful. i came accross his work only recently and have been in love ever since.
my favourite quote is:
“even after all this time, the sun never says to the earth ‘you ow me’. looks what happens with a love like that. it lights up the whole sky”
March 9, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Every friend who boasted about faith an enemy became:
Every one with a spoiled garment, one of purity became.
They say: “Night is pregnant with the unknown.” Strange!
Since she knew no man, how is it pregnant she became?
March 10, 2008 at 12:51 am
Ah Shahrazad, I LOVE Hafiz! Here are two more of the so many:
We Keep Each Other Happy
Like two lovers who have become lost
In a winter blizzard
And find a cozy, empty hut
In the forest,
I now huddle everywhere
With the Friend.
God and I have built an immense fire
Together.
We keep each other happy
And warm.
—————–
Mismatched Newleyweds
Like
A pair
Of mismatched newleyweds,
One of whom still feels very insecure,
I keep turning to God
Saying,
“Kiss
Me.”
.
Thank you for sharing…you are so lucky to have these saints so near to your hearts…although we others at a distance feel him near too.
March 10, 2008 at 7:35 am
To me it sounds like some new age spirituality gush or spooge that I would never want to swallow. Unfortunataly I did read it and now I feel totally sick to my stomach and want to vomit for the next six hours.
March 10, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Hafiz is indeed one of the great poets of the world, a Sufi poet to be sure
I trust in Allah and do not practice divination, but I prefer Rumi 
Maybe it is a male thing. I also prefer Beethoven to Mozart 
Ya Haqq!
March 11, 2008 at 8:11 am
“On the path of Love, Hafiz, lost & traceless
Ask not of my standing, high and pure.”
lost, traceless, high & pure standing all reflects great Love for God
March 12, 2008 at 1:47 am
I Love Hafez’s poetry. I personally like Rumi and Shabistari more, but still enjoy much by Hafez.
The Sun’s eyes are painting fields again.
Its lashes with expert strokes
Are sweeping across the land.
A great palette of light has embraced
This earth.
Hafiz, if just a little clay and water
Mixed in His bowl
Can yield such exquisite scents, sights,
Music – and whirling forms -
What unspeakable wonders must await with
The commencement of unfolding
Of the infinite number of petals
That are the
Soul.
What excitement will renew your body
When we all begin to see
That His heart resides in
Everything?
God has a root in each act and creature
That He draws His mysterious
Divine life from.
His eyes are painting fields again.
The Beloved with His own hands is tending,
Raising like a precious child,
Himself in
You.
- Hafez
March 12, 2008 at 5:37 pm
As-Salāmu `Alaykum,
I hope you are doing well. Adm. William J. Fallon, the U.S. leader of Middle Eastern military affairs has been forced to resign because he spoke about responsible dealings with Iran (and other nations) in an interview. It is bad when rational men with power over many lives are thrown out of leadership. Please pray for his replacement and a cool head to prevail.
March 14, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Very beautiful!
March 16, 2008 at 5:14 pm
I love poetry , but I think everything should be in moderation in terms of loving someones poetry.
March 17, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Hmmm…