Hafez Poem — خـلوت گزیده را به تماشا چه حاجـت اسـت
In this poem, Hafez, a luminary of 14th century Persian literature, reflects on desire and the futility of seeking worldly things in the presence of divine love. He questions the need for external pursuits or asking for anything when in the beloved’s lane or in the presence of God.
Hafez highlights the insignificance of material desires in the face of spiritual love, implying that true fulfillment lies in the divine rather than worldly possessions or status. His poetry underscores the belief that all earthly needs and conflicts become redundant in the company of the divine.
- Ghazal 4 by Hafez (Hafiz)
- Meaning of the Poem in English
- English Translation of the Poem w/ Transliteration
- Meaning of the Poem in Farsi
- Heritage Web Spotlight
1) Ghazal 33by Hafez (Hafiz)
You can read Ghazal 4 from Hafez’s divan (دیوان) here.
A divan in the Persian language is a compilation of a poet’s lifetime work. The numbering, non-sequential and not narrative-driven, is one of over 400 in Hafez (Hafiz) collection.
خـلوت گزیده را به تماشا چه حاجـت اسـت
چون کوی دوست هست به صحرا چه حاجت استجانا بـه حاجـتی کـه تو را هـسـت با خدا
کاخر دمی بـپرس که ما را چه حاجـت اسـتای پادشاه حـسـن خدا را بـسوخـتیم
آخر سؤ‌ال کـن کـه گدا را چه حاجـت اسـتارباب حاجـتیم و زبان سؤ‌ال نیسـت
در حـضرت کریم تمـنا چـه حاجـت اسـتمحـتاج قصـه نیسـت گرت قصد خون ماست
چون رخت از آن توست به یغما چه حاجت اسـتجام جـهان نماسـت ضـمیر مـنیر دوسـت
اظـهار احـتیاج خود آن جا چه حاجت اسـتآن شد کـه بار مـنـت مـلاح بردمی
گوهر چو دست داد به دریا چه حاجـت اسـتای مدعی برو کـه مرا با تو کار نیسـت
احـباب حاضرند بـه اعدا چه حاجـت اسـتای عاشـق گدا چو لـب روح بـخـش یار
می‌داندت وظیفـه تـقاضا چـه حاجت اسـتحافـظ تو ختـم کـن که هـنر خود عیان شود
با مدعی نزاع و مـحاکا چـه حاجـت اسـت
2) Meaning of Poem in English
In this ghazal, Hafez explores the theme of divine love and the human quest for spiritual fulfillment. He questions the need for traditional worship and solitude when the presence of the divine (symbolized as the beloved) is all-encompassing. The poem reflects on the idea that material and worldly needs become irrelevant in the presence of divine love and generosity.
Hafez uses metaphorical language to express the idea that the love and knowledge of God make worldly pursuits and conflicts insignificant. He speaks of being consumed by divine love and thus being beyond worldly needs, akin to a beggar who has found a priceless treasure in love.
The poem also addresses themes of humility and surrender, suggesting that true understanding comes from recognizing one’s neediness before the divine. Hafez concludes by emphasizing the futility of engaging in disputes over worldly matters when immersed in pursuing spiritual truth and love. The ghazal reflects the transformative power of divine love and the relinquishing of worldly desires and conflicts in the face of spiritual enlightenment.
3) English Translation
خـلوت گزیده را به تماشا چه حاجـت اسـت
چون کوی دوست هست به صحرا چه حاجت است“What need is there to seek solitude for contemplation,
When the beloved’s street is there, what need is there for the desert?
English Transliteration
Khalvat gozideh ra be tamasha che hajat ast
Chun kuy-e doost hast be sahra che hajat ast
جانا بـه حاجـتی کـه تو را هـسـت با خدا
کاخر دمی بـپرس که ما را چه حاجـت اسـتMy dear, you have needs that you discuss with God,
Ask for a moment what need we have.
English Transliteration
Jana beh hajati ke to ra hast ba Khuda
Kakher dami bepors ke ma ra che hajat ast
ای پادشاه حـسـن خدا را بـسوخـتیم
آخر سؤ‌ال کـن کـه گدا را چه حاجـت اسـتO king of beauty, for God’s sake, we are burnt,
Ask at last what need the beggar has.
English Transliteration
Ey padshah-e hasan Khoda ra besokhtim
Akhar soal kon ke geda ra che hajat ast
ارباب حاجـتیم و زبان سؤ‌ال نیسـت
در حـضرت کریم تمـنا چـه حاجـت اسـتWe are the masters of need, yet have no tongue to ask,
In the presence of the Generous, what need is there to desire?
English Transliteration
Arbab-e hajatim va zaban-e soal nist
Dar hazrat-e karim tamanna che hajat ast
محـتاج قصـه نیسـت گرت قصد خون ماست
چون رخت از آن توست به یغما چه حاجت اسـتIf you intend to spill our blood, there’s no need for a story,
When the belongings are yours, what need is there for plunder?
English Transliteration
Mohtaj-e ghese nist garet ghasd-e khun-e mast
Chun rakht az an tost be yaghma che hajat ast
جام جـهان نماسـت ضـمیر مـنیر دوسـت
اظـهار احـتیاج خود آن جا چه حاجت اسـتThe world’s goblet does not contain the luminous heart of the friend,
In that place, what need is there to express our needs?
English Transliteration
Jam-e jahan nema’ast zameer-e munir-e doost
Izhar-e ehtiyaj khod an ja che hajat ast
آن شد کـه بار مـنـت مـلاح بردمی
گوهر چو دست داد به دریا چه حاجـت اسـتIt happened that I carried the burden of the sailor’s favor,
When the pearl gives itself to the sea, what need is there?
English Transliteration
An shod ke bar-e mant-e malah bardami
Gohar cho dast dad be darya che hajat ast
ای مدعی برو کـه مرا با تو کار نیسـت
احـباب حاضرند بـه اعدا چه حاجـت اسـتO claimant, go away, I have no business with you,
Friends are present, what need is there for enemies?
English Transliteration
Ey modaa’ei boro ke mara ba to kar nist
Ahbab-e hazernand be a’da che hajat ast
ای عاشـق گدا چو لـب روح بـخـش یار
می‌داندت وظیفـه تـقاضا چـه حاجت اسـتO lover, beggar, when the soul-giving lips of the beloved are there,
He knows you, what need is there to ask for a stipend?
English Transliteration
Ey ashegh-e geda cho lab-e rooh bakhsh-e yar
Midadanadat vazifeh taghaza che hajat ast
حافـظ تو ختـم کـن که هـنر خود عیان شود
با مدعی نزاع و مـحاکا چـه حاجـت اسـتHafez, conclude, for your skill will become apparent,
With the claimant, what need is there for dispute and trial?”’
English Transliteration
Hafez to khatm kon ke honar khod ayan shavad
Ba modaa’ei neza va mohaka che hajat ast
4) Poem’s Meaning in Farsi
5) Heritage Web Spotlight
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