It is pretty obvious that Hafez, unlike Rumi, reveals his passion towards ‘worldly pleasures’ while showing his religious belief in his works. I personally think that we should not just conclude that Hafez is less ascetic than Rumi because, as we discussed in class, measuring the degree of one’s asceticism is impossible and very subjective. In his poem, ‘thanks be to God,’ he appreciates God for giving him a wine shop and such pleasure. He might think that what we called ‘worldly pleasures’ are actually came from God with permission and therefore, those are allowed, necessary pleasure. We may judge Hafez’s asceticism or his religious belief solely based on human or social standards. What we see as worldly pleasures can be ascetic in God’s world. (Although Bible/Koran is words from God, we need to remember that it is written by religious leaders who, at that time, wanted to politically control and manipulate people.)
4 thoughts on “Consider whether Hafez’s praise of worldly pleasures (e.g. eroticism, drinking, celebration) complicate his apparent asceticism or if it can somehow be reconciled with it.”
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Your point of view on Hafez’s praise of worldly pleasures is very thought provoking! I agree that measuring the degree of one’s asceticism is very subjective. Additionally, I liked how you mentioned that worldly pleasures could also be considered praising God as well. For example, Hafez praises eroticism and drinking – but this may mean that he is thankful to God for creating such concepts, ideas, and activities.
I completely agree with your views and opinion, though I believe you’re incorrect in assuming that the Koran was subjugated and manipulated by political/religious leaders. It is the only scripture that has remained unchanged for over 1400 years since its creation. The first Koran ever written, is exactly the same as the one found today.
My apology if my comment on Koran makes you feel uncomfortable. I just tried to think in different way than we used to think.
Unfortunately, I have to disagree with the entirety of the piece. Although you do bring a unique approach to Hafez, I’d have to counter that for men some of the most basic pleasures on this earth is wine and sex. Both fulfill the base, animalistic desire of man. Which is exactly what asceticism tries to combat and when Hafez writes about his overindulgence in such vices he opposes all he supposedly believes in.