Known as "one of the most complex and unusual texts in Arabic
literature" (Banipal Magazine), The Epistle of Forgiveness is the
lengthy reply by the prolific Syrian poet and prose writer, Abu
l-'Ala' al-Ma'arri (d. 449/1057), to a letter by an obscure
grammarian, Ibn al-Qari. With biting irony, The Epistle of
Forgiveness mocks Ibn al-Qari's hypocrisy and sycophancy by
imagining he has died and arrived with some difficulty in Heaven,
where he meets famous poets and philologists from the past. In
al-Ma'arri's imaginative telling, Ibn al-Qari also glimpses Hell
and converses with the Devil and various heretics. Al-Ma'arri-a
maverick, a vegan, and often branded a heretic himself-seems to
mock popular ideas about the Hereafter. Among other things, he
introduces us to hypocrites, poets, princes, rebels, mystics, and
apostates, with asides on piety, superstition, wine-drinking, old
age, and other topics. This remarkable book is the first complete
translation of this masterpiece into any language, all the more
impressive because of Al-Ma'arri's highly ornate and difficult
style, his use of rhymed prose, and his numerous obscure words and
expressions. Replete with erudite commentary, amusing anecdotes,
and sardonic wit, The Epistle of Forgiveness is an imaginative
tour-de-force by one of the most pre-eminent figures in classical
Arabic literature. An English-only edition.
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