Khwāja Shams-ud-Dīn Muhammad Hāfez-e
Shīrāzī known by his pen name Hāfez was a Persian poet. His collected works are
regarded as a pinnacle of Persian literature and are to be found in the homes
of most people in Iran, who learn his poems by heart and use them as proverbs
and sayings to this day. His life and poems have been the subject of much
analysis, commentary and interpretation, influencing post-fourteenth century
Persian writing more than any other author. Themes of his ghazals are the
beloved, faith, and exposing hypocrisy. His influence in the lives of Farsi
speakers can be found in "Hafez readings" (fāl-e hāfez) and the
frequent use of his poems in Persian traditional music, visual art, and Persian
calligraphy.
