Social and Religious Themes in the Poems of Hafez Shirazi

Abstract

The present aritcle tends to analyze the extent and manner of innovation of Hafez in the social and religious themes. The most important aspect of Hafiz's poetry is the presentation of social and religious beliefs, ideas about hypocrisy along with the implementation of freedom in society in a new modern style.
The development of religious poetry was one of the most decisive processes in the history of the Persian literature. The brilliant Persian poet and Sufi Sheikh Hafiz Shirazi beautifully expressed the concept of the Quran in the form of poetry. By enriching his poems with the use of the Holy Quran, the poet presented his relationship with God in the context of love, longing and spiritual enlightenment.
In addition to the issues of faith and religion, his poems widely reflect social issues. Hafiz's position in society, his commitment to faith and religious teaching, and his view of social events from a mystical point of view determined a number of characteristic features of his poetry. The first of these aspects is the position of the common man in Hafiz's religious and social thoughts.
Respect for freedom in religious and social matters is another important aspect of Hafiz's poetry. According to modern times, we find real democracy in Hafiz's poetry. By highlighting social issues in his ghazals, he demonstrated his responsibility towards the society.
The third important aspect of Hafiz's poetry is the criticism of hypocrisy and lies. Hafiz criticized this disgraceful act that creates injustice and mistrust in society and highly valued sincerity Although there is very little information about the poet’s biography, especially about his early life, the Iranian literary scholars who compiled Hafiz’s diwan over the years have collected interesting information about the influence of events that occurred at different stages of his life on his work. The works of Hafiz Shirazi, considered the pinnacle of Persian literature, influenced after the 14th century not only the Persian poetry, but also the Turkic literature.