IQNA – Reflecting on the works of the 14th-century poet Hafez, a prominent Iranian professor highlights how Hafez fiercely condemns lies and hypocrisy, identifying hypocrisy as the greatest threat to Islam.
Fathollah Mojtabaei, a retired professor of Eastern Religions and Philosophy, spoke to IQNA recently on the occasion of the National Day of Hafez which was marked on October 11.
“When talking about hypocrisy, it is as if this concept is Hafez’s greatest enemy,” said the professor in the conversation that also saw Ahmad Masjed-Jamei, Deputy Head of the Center for the Great Islamic Encyclopedia and former Iranian culture minister, as another participant.
“Hafez repeatedly notes that those who pretentiously say prayers or read the Quran are hypocrites and those are the biggest threat to Islam,” Mojtabaei added.
Khawje Shams-od-Din Mohammad Hafez-e Shirazi, commonly known as Hafez, was a renowned Iranian poet born around 1325 in Shiraz, Iran. He is celebrated for his lyrical poetry, particularly his ghazals, which explore themes of love, spirituality, and mysticism. Hafez's poetry is considered the pinnacle of Persian literature and remains widely read and revered in Iran and beyond.
Hafez earned his pen name, which means "memorizer," because he memorized the Quran at an early age. His works reflect a deep understanding of Islamic teachings, as well as influences from earlier Persian poets like Rumi and Saadi. His collection of poems is known as the Divan of Hafez and continues to inspire readers with its profound insights.
“Hafez was a devout person in a religious sense; the influence of the Quran strongly permeates his poetry,” added the 96-year-old professor, noting that the poet was a follower of Malamatiyya and viewed the Quran from this school’s perspective.
“In the Malamatiyya belief system, hypocrisy and lies are considered the gravest sins and a true follower of the Malamatiyya would never lie,” he added.
In ancient Iranian culture, lies were seen as the embodiment of evil, he said, adding that Hafez believed that lying is not just about words but also about actions, where hypocrisy is essentially the practice of acting on a lie.
He also quotes a verse from Hafez, a rough translation of which reads: “O Hafez! Drink wine, live freely, and enjoy life, but do not use the Quran as a snare of deceit like others.”
In the Quran, lies and falsehoods are addressed more than anything else, highlighted the professor. “And then, how dare we, as Muslims, lie!” he lamented.
Mojtbaei said that Hafez’s poetry has three main themes: love, hypocrisy, and lies.
“If you examine the word "love" in his works, you'll see how vast its scope is in his poetry,” he said, adding that the poet strongly slams the hypocrisy practiced by religious figures.
“To my knowledge, no other poet, whether in Persian literature or beyond, has expanded on the meanings of love and hypocrisy to the extent that Hafez has,” he added.
“Hypocrisy has plagued us, and Hafez recognized this issue with remarkable insight, delivering some of the most powerful critiques of hypocrisy, particularly among the religious class,” noted the professor.
“In the 21st century, we still suffer from hypocrisy; it is an eternal ugliness,” he said, adding, “Throughout Hafez's works, we see him repeatedly addressing figures like the sheikh, the king, and others, urging them not to be hypocritical, not to kill, and not to lie. These statements reflect the deep-rooted opposition of the intellectual class in Iranian cultural history toward lies and hypocrisy.”
Hafez’s poetry appeals to all
“Unlike the works of many other poets, Hafez's poetry is not one-dimensional or limited to a single perspective,” Mojtbaei writes in an introduction to a book about Hafez.
“It does not revolve around just one or a few confined themes. His poetry encompasses a wide spectrum that appeals to both the mystic and the ordinary person, the religious and the non-religious, even those with flawed beliefs,” he adds.
“Hafez's verses resonate with people of all backgrounds and levels of thought, knowledge, and sensitivity, offering something to everyone based on their own experiences and emotions,” he notes, adding, “Hafez's poetry is like a mirror in which each person sees themselves—their desires, hopes, sorrows, and joys reflected back at them.”
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