Fifty Poems of Hafiz

Shams-us-din Muhammed better known by his takhallus of Hafiz ('one who remembers') was born in the 8th century of the Muslim era (c. AD 1300). Hafiz is one of the most famous writers of lyrical poetry, delighting in nature and enjoying life. As a young man he devoted himself to the study of poetry and theology, and also became learned in mystic philosophy.

Hafiz went on to become a professor of Quranic exegesis in a college specially founded for him. The poems expertly translated here show his best features: the glowing imagery, the descriptions of natural beauties, and the fervent love passages.

Arthur John Arberry (1905-1969) was a British orientalist, scholar, translator, editor, and author who wrote, translated, or edited about 90 books on Persian and Arab language subjects. He specialized in Sufi studies, but is also known for his excellent translation of the Quran. A J Arberry attended Cambridge University, where he studied Persian and Arabic with RA Nicholson, an experience which he considered the turning point of his life. After graduation, Arberry worked in Cairo as head of the classics department at Cairo University. During the war years, he worked at various posts in London to support the war effort with his linguistic skills. In 1944 Arberry was appointed to the chair of Persian at the School of Oriental and African Studies at London University, and then two years later to the chair of Arabic.

His translation of the Qur'an into English, The Koran Interpreted, is one of the most prominent written by a non Muslim scholar, and widely respected amongst academics.

Arberry is also notable for introducing Rumi's works to the west through his selective translations and for translating the important anthology of medieval Andalucian Arabic poetry The Pennants of the Champions and the Standards of the Distinguished. His interpretation of Muhammad Iqbal's writings edited by Badiozzaman Forouzanfar, is similarly distinguished.

**Contents and Sample Pages**