Hafiz

These poems are written for the common man in common everyday speech as seen through eyes that don't idolize individualism and separation. Rather, they reflect the human potential of living in a world of harmony and grace. During a time of international political and religious chaos and violence, perhaps this work will in some way be an essential guide for our survival and recovery. Always the humble teacher, Hafiz, the Perfect Master, sits with us on the barstool in the town pub like a mirror, reflecting back our dreams.

Experience the immortal poetry of the great Persian master paired with luminous illustrations “There is this matter of the light in my eyes. If you want to know the Friend, don’t expect elegant arguments! Demand a blessing from one who gives you joy.” —Hafiz (tr. Barks) “Hafiz is without peer!” exclaimed Goethe. Known as “The Tongue of the Hidden Mysteries,” Shams al-Din Muhammad Hafiz of Shiraz is the most revered of Persian poets. When the Sun of Infinite Reality dawned in his being, he poured forth mystic verse so sublime it touched the hearts of kings and commoners alike. Hafiz’s poems of intimate divine love spread through the East in his lifetime, then into the West, influencing such luminaries as Emerson, Brahms, Queen Victoria, Nietzsche, and Garcia Lorca. Today, nearly 700 years after his death, the unmatched genius and bold wit of Hafiz continues to ignite hearts and intoxicate souls everywhere. The Illuminated Hafiz brings together vivid translations by Coleman Barks, Robert Bly, Omid Safi, Meher Baba, Peter Booth, and others with the luminous art of Michael and Saliha Green, weaving them into a stunning contemporary presentation in the tradition of classical Persian illuminated manuscripts and unveiling the mysteries of the path of love. Come, raise a cup! Join with Hafiz and his incomparable love poems in a holy revel on the journey into light.

The Persian poet Hafiz (1315 - 1390) is a literary wonder with unmatched spiritual insights. Now, renowned artist and writer Rassouli dives heart first into the Divan of Hafiz to offer you fresh translations and glorious color illustrations so you can take your own journey into the Wisdom of Madness. Printed on premium cream-colored paper.

THE ILLUSTRATED HAFIZ A Selection of Ghazals from his Divan Translation & Introduction Paul Smith Illustrations by Dale Hickey Hafiz of Shiraz in Persia (1320-1392) is the undisputed Master of the form of the ghazal, perhaps the oldest and most difficult and most beautiful and spiritual form of poetry that has ever existed. Although the poets of the ghazal may appear to many as open-minded, drunken, outcast lovers, it does not necessarily mean that they all drank the juice of the grape... for it is an inner spiritual state that they often were expressing. The ghazal is a conversation between the lover and the beloved and as in all intimate conversation... the talk flows both ways. The subject may not necessary be about love, but it is always from the point of view of one who loves truth, love and beauty. Here is a selection of Hafiz's ghazals at times whimsically and powerfully illustrated by one of Australia's finest artists. The spiritual and historical and human content is here in understandable, beautiful poetry: the difficult correct rhyme-structure is achieved, without intruding, in readable English. In the Introduction his wonderful life story is told in great detail; his spirituality is explored, his poetry and the ghazal, its form, function and history. Included is a glossary and selected bibliography. Large Format Paperback 8" x 10" 187 pages. COMMENTS ON PAUL SMITH'S TRANSLATION OF HAFIZ'S GHAZALS." It is not a joke... the English version of ALL the ghazals of Hafiz is a great feat and of paramount importance. I am astonished.." Dr. Mir Mohammad Taghavi (Dr. of Literature) Tehran." Superb translations. 99% Hafiz 1% Paul Smith." Ali Akbar Shapurzman, translator of English to Persian and knower of Hafiz's Divan off by heart. "Smith has probably put together the greatest collection of literary facts and history concerning Hafiz." Daniel Ladinsky (Penguin Books author). Paul Smith (b.1945) is a poet, author and translator of many books of Sufi poets of Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish and other languages including Hafez, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan Khatun, Obeyd Zakani, Mu'in ud-din Chishti, Amir Khusrau, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Khayyam, Hallaj, Rudaki, Yunus Emre Ghalib, Iqbal, Makhfi, Lalla Ded, Abu Nuwas, Ibn al-Farid, Rahman Baba, Nazir and many others, as well as his own poetry, fiction, plays, biographies, kids books and a dozen screenplays. amazon.com/author/smithpa

HAFIZ Collected Poems Translation & Introduction Paul Smith This is a completely revised one volume edition of the only modern, poetic version of Hafiz's masterpiece of 791 ghazals, masnavis, ruba'is and all other poems/songs. The spiritual and historical and human content is here in understandable, beautiful poetry: the correct rhyme-structure has been achieved, without intruding, in readable English. In the Introduction of 70 pages his wonderful life story is told in greater detail than anywhere else; his spirituality is explored, his influence on the life, poetry and art of the East and the West, the form and function of his poetry, and the use of his book as a worldly guide and spiritual oracle. His Book, like the I Ching, is one of the world's Great Oracles. Included are notes to most poems, glossary and selected bibliography and two indexes. First published in a limited two-volume limited edition in 1986 the book quickly went out of print. Large Format Edition 7" x 10" 810 pages. Goethe: "In his poetry Hafiz inscribed undeniable truth indelibly He has no peer "Gertrude Bell: "It is as if his mental Eye, endowed with wonderful acuteness of vision, had penetrated into those provinces of thought which we of a later age were destined to inhabit." Meher Baba: "There is no equal to Hafiz in poetry. He was a Perfect Master ... His Divan is the best book in the world because it engenders feelings which ultimately lead to illumination." COMMENTS ON PAUL SMITH'S TRANSLATION OF HAFIZ'S POEMS. "It is not a joke... the English version of ALL the ghazals of Hafiz is a great feat and of paramount importance. I am astonished.." Dr. Mir Mohammad Taghavi (Dr. of Literature) Tehran." Superb translations. 99% Hafiz 1% Paul Smith." Ali Akbar Shapurzman, translator of English to Persian and knower of Hafiz's Divan off by heart. "Smith has probably put together the greatest collection of literary facts and history concerning Hafiz." Daniel Ladinsky (Penguin Books author). Paul Smith (b. 1945) is a poet, author and translator of many books of Sufi poets of Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish and other languages including Hafiz, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan Khatun, Obeyd Zakani, Mu'in ud-din Chishti, Amir Khusrau, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Khayyam, Hallaj, Rudaki, Yunus Emre, Ghalib and others, and his own poetry, fiction, plays, biographies, kids books, screenplays. amazon.com/author/smithpa

HAFIZ: POEMS OTHER THAN GHAZALS Masnavis, Qasidas, Mukammas, Tarji-band, Tarikh-band, Bino Rhymes, Ruba'is, Qit'as. Translation & Introduction Paul Smith The beauty of this verse is beyond an explanation; to splendour of the sun does a person need a guide? Blessings be on brush of the painter who gave such wonderful beauty as this to meaning's virgin bride. Regarding its beauty, reason can't find comparison; regarding its grace, comparison nature can't provide. This verse is either a miracle or it is of true magic... these words, Gabriel... or Invisible Voice did guide. No one can utter a great mystery in such a fashion; like this, no one knows how to pierce a pearl inside. Hafiz of Shiraz (1320-1392) is known throughout the world as the great master of the ghazal. Here are all his other less-known poems. The real content is here in understandable, beautiful poetry: the correct rhyme-structure has been achieved in readable English. Long Introduction on his wonderful life story; his spirituality, influence on the East and the West, the form and function of this poetry. Included are many notes, glossary, selected bibliography. Large Format 7" x 10" 400 pages. Goethe: "In his poetry Hafiz inscribed undeniable truth indelibly He has no peer "Gertrude Bell: "It is as if his mental Eye, endowed with wonderful acuteness of vision, had penetrated into those provinces of thought which we of a later age were destined to inhabit." Meher Baba: "There is no equal to Hafiz in poetry. He was a Perfect Master... His Diwan is the best book in the world because it engenders feelings which ultimately lead to illumination." Inayat Khan: "Once a person has studied Hafiz he has reached the top of the mountain, from whence he beholds the sublimity of the immanence of God." COMMENTS ON PAUL SMITH'S TRANSLATION OF HAFIZ'S 'DIVAN'." It is not a joke... the English version of ALL the ghazals of Hafiz is a great feat and of paramount importance. I am astonished.." Dr. Mir Mohammad Taghavi (Dr. of Literature) Tehran." Superb translations. 99% Hafiz 1% Paul Smith." Ali Akbar Shapurzman, translator of English to Persian and knower of Hafiz's Divan off by heart. Paul Smith (b. 1945) is a poet, author and translator of many books of Sufi poets of Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish and other languages including Hafiz, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan Khatun, Obeyd Zakani, Mu'in ud-din Chishti, Lalla Ded, Amir Khusrau, Baba Farid, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Khayyam, Hallaj and many others, as well as his own poetry, fiction, plays, biographies, childrens books and a dozen screenplays. amazon.com/author/smithpa

HAFIZ Book of Divination Translation, Introduction, Interpretations Paul Smith Hafiz's Divan of poems has been used as an Oracle successfully by millions of people from all walks of life for the past 600 years. The practice of interpreting his insightful poems has been a long tradition. Here are three hundred and sixty ghazals with insightful, clear interpretations by Paul Smith, an Introduction that includes his life, poetry, spirituality and the history of the use of his book as one of the world's great Oracles. The correct rhyme has been kept as well as the beauty and meaning of these immortal, mystical poems. Large Format Paperback 7" x 10" 438 pagesGertrude Bell: "It is as if his mental Eye, endowed with wonderful acuteness of vision, had penetrated into those provinces of thought which we of a later age were destined to inhabit." Meher Baba: "There is no equal to Hafez in poetry. He was a Perfect Master ... His Divan is the best book in the world because it engenders feelings which ultimately lead to illumination. "Goethe: "In his poetry Hafez inscribed undeniable truth indelibly He has no peer " COMMENTS ON PAUL SMITH'S TRANSLATION OF HAFIZ'S 'DIVAN'." It is not a joke... English version of all the ghazals of Hafiz is a great feat of paramount importance. I am astonished." Dr. Mir Mohammad Taghavi (Dr. of Literature) Tehran. "Superb translations. 99% Hafiz 1% Paul Smith." Ali Akbar Shapurzman, translator of English books to Persian and knower of Hafiz's Divan off by heart." I was very impressed with the beauty of these books." Dr. R. K. Barz. Faculty of Asian Studies, Australian National University. Smith has probably put together the greatest collection of literary facts and history concerning Hafiz." Daniel Ladinsky (Penguin Books author). Paul Smith is a poet, author and translator of many books of Sufi poets from the Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Pashtu and other languages including Hafez, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan Khatun, Obeyd Zakani, Mu'in, Amir Khusrau, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Omar Khayyam, Rudaki, Yunus Emre, Lalla Ded, Rahman Baba, Baba Latif and others, and his own poetry, fiction, plays, biographies and a dozen screenplays. amazon.com/author/smithpa

HAFIZ The Complete Book of Ghazals Translation & Introduction Paul Smith Hafiz of Shiraz in Persia (1320-1392) is the undisputed Master of the form of the ghazal, perhaps the oldest and most difficult and most beautiful and spiritual form of poetry that has ever existed. Although the poets of the ghazal may appear to many as open-minded, drunken, outcast lovers, it does not necessarily mean that they all drank the juice of the grape... for it is an inner spiritual state that they often were expressing. The ghazal is a conversation between the lover and the beloved and as in all intimate conversation... the talk flows both ways. The subject may not necessary be about love, but it is always from the point of view of one who loves truth, love and beauty. Here are all 575 of Hafiz's ghazals. The spiritual and historical and human content is here in understandable, beautiful poetry: the difficult correct rhyme-structure is achieved, without intruding, in readable English. In the Introduction his wonderful life story is told in greater detail than anywhere else; his spirituality is explored, his poetry and the ghazal, its form, function and history... his influence on the life, poetry and art of the East and the West. Included are notes to most poems, glossary, selected bibliography. Large Format Paperback 7" x 10" 649 pages. COMMENTS ON PAUL SMITH'S TRANSLATION OF HAFEZ'S GHAZALS." It is not a joke... the English version of ALL the ghazals of Hafez is a great feat and of paramount importance. I am astonished.." Dr. Mir Mohammad Taghavi (Dr. of Literature) Tehran." Superb translations. 99% Hafez 1% Paul Smith." Ali Akbar Shapurzman, translator of English to Persian and knower of Hafiz's Divan off by heart. "Smith has probably put together the greatest collection of literary facts and history concerning Hafez." Daniel Ladinsky (Penguin Books author). Paul Smith is a poet, author and translator of many books of Sufi poets of Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish and other languages including Hafez, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan Khatun, Obeyd Zakani, Mu'in ud-din Chishti, Amir Khusrau, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Khayyam, Hallaj, Rudaki, Yunus Emre Ghalib, Iqbal, Makhfi, Lalla Ded, Abu Nuwas, Ibn al-Farid, Rahman Baba, Nazir and many others, as well as his own poetry, fiction, plays, biographies, kids books and a dozen screenplays. New Humanity Books amazon.com/author/smithpa

Ghazals Inspired by Hafiz's Ghazals by Paul Smith There is really no equivalent to the ghazal (pronounced guz'el) in English poetry. As a matter of fact, the ghazal is a unique form and its origin has been argued about for many centuries. Some say that the first was composed by Adam, the first poet and Perfect Master. Many ghazals Paul Smith composed while translating the Divan of Hafiz he incorporated into his 3 volume novel/biography Hafiz of Shiraz... as those of Muhammad Gulandam. Recently he published a book of ghazals 'Beloved & Lover' inspired by couplets and first lines given by his Spiritual Master Meher Baba (Huma) and in this book he has composed ghazals with the first couplet from his translations of the ghazals of Hafiz, that are also mainly about Meher Baba. Introduction: About Paul Smith, Life & Work of Meher Baba, The Ghazal, Life & Times & Poems of Hafiz. Correct form has been achieved. 293 pages. COMMENTS ON PAUL SMITH'S TRANSLATION OF HAFIZ'S 'DIVAN'." It is not a joke... the English version of ALL the ghazals of Hafiz is a great feat and of paramount importance. I am astonished." Dr. Mir Mohammad Taghavi (Dr. of Literature) Tehran." Superb translations. 99% Hafiz 1% Paul Smith." Ali Akbar Shapurzman, translator of works into Persian and knower of Hafiz's Divan off by heart. "Smith has probably put together the greatest collection of literary facts and history concerning Hafiz." Daniel Ladinsky (Penguin Books author). Paul Smith is a poet, author, translator of many books of Sufi poets of the Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Pashtu and other languages... including Hafiz, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan Khatun, Obeyd Zakani, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Khayyam, Rudaki, Yunus Emre, Lalla Ded, Rahman Baba, Bulleh Shah, Ghalib, Iqbal and many others, as well as his own poetry, fiction, plays, biographies, children's books and 12 screenplays. amazon.com/author/smithpa Published by New Humanity Books

Revered as the greatest Persian poet whose verses, still recited and learned by heart in Afghanistan, have inspired people since the fourteenth century. A pure joy.

HAFIZ: A Daybook Translation & Introduction by Paul Smith Hafiz is considered by many of the world's foremost poets, mystics, artists and writers to be the greatest poet of all time. Hafiz was not only a great poet, he became a Perfect Master or enlightened being, whose wisdom and insights into the everyday and mystical path are such that it is said that one can gain spiritual advancement by reading his book. During the past six centuries he has inspired and influenced the world of literature, philosophy, mysticism and all aspects of art: poetry, painting and music in the east and the west. His life was for mankind and his work to be shared with the world. Through his example we can learn how to prepare for unprecedented change. Without doubt, he is one of the greatest human beings since time began. His Divan has been loved by many millions of people. To this day it is used as an oracle and spiritual guide and in this Daybook one can use his couplets on a daily basis or open them at random for inspiration and advice. 375 pages." In his poetry Hafiz has inscribed undeniable truth indelibly... Hafiz has no peer." Goethe"Once a person has studied Hafiz he has reached the top of the mountain, from whence he beholds the sublimity of the immanence of God." Inayat Khan"Hafiz defies you to show him or put him in a condition inopportune or ignoble... He fears nothing. He sees too far; he sees throughout; such is the only man I wish to see or be." Emerson"Hafiz is highly esteemed by his countrymen as Shakespeare by us, and deserves as serious consideration." A. J. Arberry"There is no equal to Hafiz in poetry. He was a Perfect Master... His Divan is the best book in the world because it engenders feelings which ultimately lead to illumination." Meher Baba"It is as if his mental eye, endowed with wonderful acuteness of vision, had penetrated into provinces of thought which we of a later age were destined to inhabit." Gertrude Bell"Hafiz breathes originality in all his works ... in no other country, was ever born a genius so rare. He dwells on the degeneracy of his age, on the vanity of the world on universal charity, and on toleration and liberty of conscience." H. Wilberforce Clarke"We may state, without incurring the danger of modernization, that in these ghazals Hafiz applied quite consciously and consistently a method of revealing his hero's inner condition at which European literature first arrived only in the XX century." Michael J. Zand"The best Musician of Words." Edward Fitzgerald (Translator of Omar Khayyam)"...sublime amorous ghazals." Lorca"Only the most enlightened of beings can benefit from the deepest human joys because within such beings resides a unique force of freedom and rapture. Their awareness rests in the house of spirit and their soul mates with their awareness, meaning that which is discovered through awareness emanates from their soul and that which shines in the soul is known with awareness. This unity of spirit and mind is the legacy of Hafiz." NietzscheCOMMENTS ON PAUL SMITH'S TRANSLATION OF HAFIZ'S 'DIVAN'." It is not a joke... the English version of ALL the ghazals of Hafiz is a great feat and of paramount importance. I am astonished." Dr. Mir Mohammad Taghavi (Dr. of Literature) Tehran. "Superb translations. 99% Hafiz 1% Paul Smith." Ali Akbar Shapurzman, translator of English to Persian and knower of Hafiz's Divan off by heart. "Smith has probably put together the greatest collection of literary facts and history concerning Hafiz." Daniel Ladinsky (Penguin Books author). Paul Smith is a poet, author and translator of many books of Sufi poets of Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish and other languages including Hafiz, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan Khatun, Obeyd Zakani, Mu'in, Amir Khusrau, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Khayyam, Hallaj, Rudaki, Yunus Emre and many others as well as poetry, fiction, plays, biographies, children's books and screenplays. amazon.com/author/smithpa Published