Hafiz's Doctrines of Happiness with Reference to his Lyrics

Happiness is inherently a major characteristic of Iranians national Identity, which over the time through different ages suffered lots of ups and downs; however, Iranians from pre-Islamic era till in the wake of Islam never ignored it and it was one of the uniting factors in the solidarity of their national identity, enhancing loyalty to their home country and a factor in flourishing of their thoughts and feelings to be at the service of national prosperity and ethical beliefs. Gradually, due to foreigner's domination, socio-political hegemony and appearance of negative thoughts and un-authentic morals, happiness faded and isolation, sorrow and dejection broke out. As a result, at the present time, not only Iranian Society, but also modern man, despite enjoying the comforts offered by modern industrial and technological advance, is both emotionally and mentally troubled, a condition arising from their anarchic and nihilistic beliefs as well as their being away from the nature and being void of spirituality. The more they seek pleasures, the more they distance themselves from happiness and calmness. This is basically because the roots of happiness is akin to responding to the real needs of one's true self and to having positive mindset and positive behavior, qualities being ignored as a result of self-alienation. The course of history is not moving from barbarianism to humanism, but from bows and arrows to atomic bombs. In the same vein, humans' pleasure-seeking conduct is changing from seeking property and possession to becoming 'hooked' to all sorts of narcotics. Therefore, teaching the fundamentals and factors leading to happiness is an unavoidable need of modern man. Such a change will not come to pass unless they take action to alter their epistemological actions and unless they start to believe in the necessity in changing their world, both inwardly and outwardly. To change requires a correct understanding of 'being', phenomena, and man's role in the world. In case of such an understanding, a change in man's morality and behavior emerges. And by their accepting the conditions of morality change and by their being obligated to enforce them, they will accomplish happiness. In this study, the above issue is further investigated in light of the ideas put forward by Iranian scholars with particular reference to Hafiz's lyrics.