MANSUR HALLAJ: SELECTED POEMS

MANSUR HALLAJ: SELECTED POEMSTranslation & Introduction by Paul SmithThe Perfect Master, poet & martyr, Husayn Mansur al-Hallaj (died 919), was born in Shiraz and tortured and executed in Baghdad for declaring: “I am the Truth (Anal Haq).” Much has been written about his famous (and in¬famous) statement, but few of his powerful, often mysteries and always deeply conscious and spiritual poems in Arabic have been translated before from his Divan into English, and in the poetic form in which they were composed. The Introduction contains: The Life, Times and Works of Mansur Hallaj, The Perfect Master (Qutub), ‘Anal-Haq’ or ‘I am the Truth’ of Mansur Hallaj, Four Master Poets of Baghdad who influenced Hallaj, Sufis & Dervishes: Their Art & Use of Poetry. There is a wide selection of his qit’as, ghazals, ruba’is, qasidas. Included is an appendix: A Selection of Poetry from the Persian, Turkish & Pashtu poetry about or influenced by him. Pages 180 in paperback.COMMENTS 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. If he comes to Iran I will kiss the fingertips that wrote such a masterpiece inspired by the Creator of all.” Dr. Mir Mohammad Taghavi (Dr. of Literature) Tehran.“Superb translations. 99% Hafiz 1% Paul Smith.” Ali Akbar Shapurzman, translator of many mystical works in English into Persian and knower of Hafiz’s Divan off by heart.“Smith has probably put together the greatest collection of literary facts and history concerning Hafiz.” Daniel Ladinsky (Penguin Books author).Paul Smith is a poet, author and translator of over 80 books of Sufi poets from 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, Shah Latif, Bulleh Shah, Mahsati, Lalla Ded and many others, as well as poetry, fiction, plays, biographies, children’s books and screenplays. Read more