Persian Poetics

The Divine Path: Hātif’s Journey to God

Is there a single path to God, or do all religions have a way? Join the 18th-century Persian poet and mystic Hātif-i Iṣfahānī as he takes us down a captivating journey in three faith traditions, culminating in his realization of God.

Ramadan Circle 2023

Explore the timeless lessons of great Persian poets in the spirit of the holy month of Ramadan.

Persian Poetics Talks

Recordings of Persian Poetics lectures delivered at various venues across the world.

Sounds of South Asia: Persian Kalam in Qawwali

Qawwāli is a centuries-old devotional music tradition that blends Persian, Arabic, and South Asian languages, cultivating exceptional spiritual experiences. Join us as we uncover and translate the Persian lyrics of famous Qāwwali pieces.

Hafiz's Diwan - Commentaries, Translations

Rumi's Masnawi - Commentaries, Translations

High-quality scans of the best commentaries on Rumi's magnum opus

Books: Rumi's Diwan-i Shams & Translations

The best translations of Rumi's odes (ghazals)

Rumi's Masnawi - Translations

Translations of Rumi's magnum opus

Books: Rumi's Other Works & Translations

Rumi Reading Circle: The Masnawi

Read Rumi every Sunday at 10:30 AM EST.

Dars-i Hafiz - Persian

Ḥāfiẓ is widely considered the greatest Persian poet. His poetry is ever-present in the hearts and minds of Persianate peoples and it would not be hyperbole to count his work a pillar of modern Iranian identity and culture.

Dars-i Hafiz - English

Ḥāfiẓ is widely considered the greatest Persian poet. His poetry is ever-present in the hearts and minds of Persianate peoples and it would not be hyperbole to count his work a pillar of modern Iranian identity and culture.

Saʿdī’s Bustan - Persian

Considered one of the greatest books of all time, Saʿdī Shīrāzī’s ‘Būstān’ (Orchard) is a compilation of worldly wisdom and Saʿdī’s life experiences. Completed in 1257, the work is four thousand couplets of poetry divided into ten chapters.

Saʿdī’s Bustan - English

Considered one of the greatest books of all time, Saʿdī Shīrāzī’s ‘Būstān’ (Orchard) is a compilation of worldly wisdom and Saʿdī’s life experiences. Completed in 1257, the work is four thousand couplets of poetry divided into ten chapters.

Saʿdī’s Pandnama

Saʿdī Shīrāzī’s ‘Pand-nāma’ or ‘Book of Wisdom,’ also known as ‘Karīmā’ (literally ‘O Kind one’ from the famous opening line above: ‘karīmā bibakhshāy bar ḥāl-i mā’) is a classic text written in the rhyming couplet (masnawī) style, like the Būstān.

Pearls of the Masnavi - Persian

Called ‘The Qur'ān in Persian’ by Sufis, the Masnavi is Rumi’s magnum opus. It is among the most important works in the Muslim world, once read from the Balkans to the Bengal.

Saʿdi - Translations, Editions, Commentaries

Pearls of the Masnavi - English

Called ‘The Qur'ān in Persian’ by Sufis, the Masnavi is Rumi’s magnum opus. It is among the most important works in the Muslim world, once read from the Balkans to the Bengal.

Poetess - Persian (2022)

What was life like for a Mughal princess? Or a women’s rights activist who died for her cause? Or a street musician working the bāzārs of Samarqand? Unheard for centuries, the voices of these remarkable women are now available to us to uncover.

Poetess - English (2022)

What was life like for a Mughal princess? Or a women’s rights activist who died for her cause? Or a street musician working the bāzārs of Samarqand? Unheard for centuries, the voices of these remarkable women are now available to us to uncover.

Saʿdī’s Gulistan - Persian (2021)

Saʿdī’s Gulistān (Flower Garden) is perhaps the most influential work of Persian prose. The collection of anecdotes helped earn him the nickname ‘afṣaḥ al-mutikallimūn’ (The Most Eloquent Speaker).

Saʿdī’s Gulistan - English (2021)

Saʿdī’s Gulistān (Flower Garden) is perhaps the most influential work of Persian prose. The collection of anecdotes helped earn him the nickname ‘afṣaḥ al-mutikallimūn’ (The Most Eloquent Speaker).

Persian 101: The Alphabet (2023)

Spoke Farsi at home, but didn't learn to read? Want to learn Farsi from scratch? Learn with us!