Fal-e Hafez: The centuries-old Iranian tradition of seeking meaning in poetry

A poem is opened, a verse is chosen, and a personal meaning is discovered. For generations, Iranians have turned to Hafez’s Divan through Fal-e Hafez — a tradition that blends poetry, spirituality, and self-reflection. Davood Taleghani, Researcher in Media and Culture, explains why Hafez’s verses became central to this practice and how their connection with Iranian and Islamic thought gives them a lasting place in Iranian culture. Al Mayadeen English correspondent Karim Sharara explores why, more than six centuries later, Iranians continue their conversation with Hafez.