Understanding the Poet Hafiz (Hafez)

The question asks about the century to which the renowned poet Hafiz belonged, mentioning his famous collection of poems known as 'Diwan' or 'Diwan-e-Hafiz'. To answer this, we need to recall the historical period associated with this significant figure in Persian literature.

Who was Hafiz?

Hafiz, whose full name was Khwāja Šamsu-d-Dīn Muḥammad Ḥāfeẓ-e Šīrāzī, was a celebrated Persian poet. He was born and lived in Shiraz, Persia (modern-day Iran). His poetry is known for its beauty, depth, and exploration of themes such as love, faith, hypocrisy, and the complexities of life. His work has had a profound influence on Persian literature and culture.

Hafiz and the 14th Century

Historical records and scholarly consensus place Hafiz's life primarily in the 14th century. He is generally believed to have been born around 1315 and died around 1390. This places his most active years of writing and influence firmly within the 14th century.

His collection of poems, the 'Diwan-e-Hafiz', is considered a masterpiece and is widely read and revered. The 'Diwan' is a collection of ghazals, qasidas, masnavis, and other forms of poetry.

Analyzing the Options

Let's look at the provided centuries:

• 14^th century
• 17^th century
• 16^th century
• 15^th century

Based on historical information, Hafiz lived during the 14th century. The other options represent periods after his lifetime.

• The 14^th century spans from 1301 to 1400. Hafiz's life (approx. 1315-1390) falls within this period.
• The 15^th century spans from 1401 to 1500.
• The 16^th century spans from 1501 to 1600.
• The 17^th century spans from 1601 to 1700.

Therefore, the 14th century is the correct period associated with the poet Hafiz.

Conclusion

Hafiz (Hafez), the celebrated poet known for his 'Diwan', lived during the 14th century. His contributions to Persian literature continue to be highly valued centuries later.

Revision Table: Key Facts about Hafiz

Additional Information: Persian Poetry and Diwan

The 'Diwan' is a standard term in Islamic culture, particularly for collections of poetry by one author. A 'Diwan' collects a poet's shorter poems, usually ghazals and qasidas, arranged alphabetically by the final letter of the rhyme. The 'Diwan-e-Hafiz' is perhaps one of the most famous and influential 'Diwans'. Persian poetry has a long and rich history, with many other notable poets like Rumi, Saadi, and Ferdowsi.