Words That Fall Upon the Heart from Hafez of Shiraz
The wisdoms of Hafez of Shiraz are a selection of short sayings that touch upon the human heart, character, and inner discipline. Although each saying may appear as a simple note on its own, behind it lie fundamental issues such as the discipline of the nafs (the lower self), awareness of mortality, knowledge, adab (proper conduct), and maturity of the qalb (the heart).
01
“O heart, burn! Your burning resolves many matters; a supplication (dua, supplication) at midnight averts a hundred calamities.”
02
“No brave one has a shield against the arrows of fate and destiny.”
03
“Do not be among the hypocrites! Those who, on one hand, recite the Qur'an aloud, while on the other, think they are concealing their immorality.”
04
“Sit by the riverbank and watch the flow of life! For this sign alone suffices for us regarding the transience of this fleeting world.”
05
“The qalb (the heart, spiritual center) is a stringed instrument of a thousand strings that can only be tuned by love.”
06
“Do not grieve over gain or loss; keep your heart content, for the end of every perfection is, after all, nonexistence.”
07
“The tongue is for shukr (gratitude). One who knows his Lord does not use his tongue for backbiting.”
08
“Allah does not close one door without opening another.”
09
“The hearts of those who harbor rancor are not privy to the secret.”