Detailed Abstract
Research Objective: The aim of the present research is to determine through reflection on and interpretation of the meanings of the ghazals in the Dīvān of Hafez, the degree of correspondence or alignment between the semantic style of the poems of Hafez Shirazi and the Qur’anic content. In other words, the research seeks to find evidence that shows the extent to which Hafez was influenced by the verses and concepts of the ambiguous or allegorical passages of the Noble Qur’an in his choice of themes and the way he presented them. In fact, the researcher aims to provide a deep explanation and interpretation of the meanings of Qur’anic verses in order to reveal the commonalities and correspondences between those meanings and the semantic style of Hafez's poetry. Contemplation and reflection on the verses involve a precise analysis of conceptual components and strive to identify the direct and indirect influences of the Qur’an on the poems.
Research Methodology: The method of this research is descriptive-analytical and is based on an in-depth examination of the poetry and discourse of Hafez. Initially, Hafez's Dīvān was reviewed, and verses influenced by the meanings of the Qur’an were extracted and analyzed. In the body of the article, after presenting verses from various themes of Hafez's ghazals and explaining the meanings of the couplets, the semantic influence of the Qur’an on those verses was examined and analyzed.
Findings:  Hafez depicts the status of religious and sacred literature in various forms, such as through his use of Qur’anic vocabulary, verses, terminologies, as well as narratives and stories drawn from the Qur’an. His ghazals reveal that the foundational structure of his language and thought is deeply rooted in the Qur’an and its teachings. Thus, Dīvān of Hafez is influenced by Qur’anic concepts from two perspectives: both in terms of the external form of the verses and in the deeply structured internal fabric and thematic core of the poems. This indicates the profound impact of the Qur’an on the linguistic, semantic, and cognitive framework of the poet. A careful and profound reading of his ghazals shows that Hafez’s literary and semantic style and structure are built upon Qur’anic insights and meanings. His mind and language have been directly shaped by Qur’anic reception to such an extent that the outward form and inner meaning of his poetry are inseparable.
The range of Qur’anic themes and references in his poetry is vast, including motifs such as fidelity to covenants, the creation of man from clay, the gardens beneath which rivers flow, fasting, expressions like Saqākallāh and kaʾsin dihāq, the Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr), a blazing meteor (Shihāb qabas), the straight path (Ṣirāṭ mustaqīm), extended shade (ẓill mamdūd), the fall of Adam, ʿafākallāh ("may God pardon you"), certain knowledge (ʿilm al-yaqīn), the noble recording angels (Kirām kātibīn), Lā ilāha illā Allāh (there is no deity but God), and Lā infiṣām lahā ("it cannot be broken"). These are only a few examples.
Moreover, these meanings and themes lead the reader or audience—often engaging with a mind filled with ambiguity and contemplation—to attain a deeper understanding of religious and ethical matters. The close relationship between the themes of Hafez’s poetry and those of the Qur’an demonstrates that in his quest for spiritual and divine truths, Hafez, drawing upon his Qur’anic knowledge, has been able to address human and moral issues from a religious perspective.
Conclusion: A poet who is a Muslim and has been nurtured and developed within the embrace of Islamic culture and the teachings of the Qur’an will inevitably reflect the influence of this culture in their poetry. One of the prominent features of Hafez's poetry is his special attention to the Qur’an, which is evident throughout his verses. As Hafez himself has confessed, he read the Qur’an in fourteen different recitations and it was his companion in solitude during dark nights. Hafez alludes to this truth in his verse: "No one among the guardians of the world has gathered as much as this servant / Subtle wisdom with Qur’anic points." Based on the analyses and commentaries conducted on some of the verses of Hafez's Dīvān in this research, it can be concluded that Hafez's poetry is thoroughly intertwined with Qur’anic insights, and the semantic style of his verses aligns with the similar verses of the Qur’an. The Dīvān of Khwāja Shiraz is influenced by the Qur’an and Islamic concepts in various ways. Hafez's ghazals demonstrate that the fundamental structure of his mind and language is rooted in the Qur’an and its concepts. Ultimately, it can be said that Hafez's Dīvān is influenced by the Qur’an both in terms of the outward structure of the verses and in terms of their meaning and content.