The Ghazals of Sanā’ī: The First Spark of the Iraqi Style

Abstract

This study aims to examine the thematic structure of the ghazals of Ḥakīm Abū al-Majd Majdūd ibn Ādam Sanā’ī of Ghazna, one of the earliest and most influential ghazal poets in Persian literature and a pivotal figure in the emergence of the Iraqi style. Living in the 5th and 6th centuries AH, Sanā’ī introduced fundamental transformations in both the form and content of the ghazal, liberating it from its earlier dependence on the qaṣīda and establishing it as an independent poetic genre capable of expressing mystical, lyrical, and social themes. The findings of this study indicate that Sanā’ī’s ghazals encompass a multilayered network of themes, among which the praise of the beloved, the depiction of the beloved’s physical and spiritual attributes, the portrayal of the lover’s emotional states, and the conceptualization of love are most prominent. In Sanā’ī’s perspective, love transcends temporal and spatial boundaries and is closely associated with suffering, annihilation, and self-effacement, ultimately leading the lover toward spiritual perfection. Moreover, Sanā’ī’s systematic incorporation of mystical concepts into the ghazal represents a major turning point in Persian literary history, particularly through the tension between reason and love, the use of symbolic mystical language, and the emphasis on spiritual journeying. His engagement with qalandar-like themes and critique of hypocritical asceticism adds a strong social and critical dimension to his poetry. Additionally, elements such as complaint, moral exhortation, and reflection on personal and societal suffering further enrich his ghazals. Ultimately, Sanā’ī’s insistence on steadfastness in love and the valorization of annihilation in the beloved underscores his profound mystical worldview. It can therefore be concluded that Sanā’ī’s ghazals represent a sophisticated synthesis of love, mysticism, and social critique, marking the foundational stage in the development of the Iraqi style in Persian literature