Book Description

THE EIGHT GREATEST SUFI MASTER-POETS OF THE GHAZALSana'i, 'Attar, Khaqani, Mu'in, Rumi, Sadi, Hafiz, JamiSELECTED POEMSTranslation and Introduction by Paul SmithThe ghazal is the oldest and most difficult and most beautiful and spiritual form of poetry that has ever existed. It is a conversation between the lover and beloved and as in all intimate conversation, the talk flows both ways. Sana'i (d.1131) composed many that influenced all the ghazal poets that followed him. 'Attar (1119 - 1221) is seen with Sana'i and Rumi as one of the three most important Sufi Poet-Masters of the 13th century. He composed many poems in the ghazal form. Khaqani (1122-1199) was the second great Sufi Master of the powerful, spiritual ghazal. Mu'in (1141-1230) was known as Gharib Nawaz or 'Benefactor of the Poor'... he is the most famous Sufi Perfect Master of the Chishti Order. He composed a Divan and 121 wonderful ghazals survive. Rumi (1207-1273) has a Divan which he named after his Master, Shams-e Tabriz includes thousands of spiritual ghazals. Sadi (1210-1291) was another Perfect Master Poet who expressed himself in the ruba'i form as well as hundreds of ghazals in his beautiful Divan. Hafiz (1320-1392) is the undisputed Master of this most ancient poetic form. Jami (1414-1492) is the last great poet of the Persian Classical Period (9th-15th c.) He says:'The largest part of my Divan is ghazals... like songs mad lovers sing. Introduction: Sufis & Dervishes: Their Art and Use of Poetry, Lives and Times and Poetry of each poet and a chapter on the ghazal. Glossary, Selected Bibliographies. The correct rhyme-structure has been kept, often for the first time, as well as the beauty and meaning of these powerful, spiritual, beautiful, immortal ghazals. Large Format Edition in Paperback 7" x 10" Pages 826COMMENTS 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 many works in English into 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 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 and many others, as well as his own poetry, fiction, plays, children's books, biographies and a dozen screenplays. www.newhumanitybooks.com