{"product_id":"the-epistle-of-forgiveness-volumes-one-and-two-paperback","title":"The Epistle of Forgiveness: Volumes One and Two - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKnown as \"one of the most complex and unusual texts in Arabic literature\" (\u003ci\u003eBanipal Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e), \u003ci\u003eThe Epistle of Forgiveness\u003c\/i\u003e 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAl-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, \u003ci\u003eThe Epistle of Forgiveness\u003c\/i\u003e is an imaginative tour-de-force by one of the most pre-eminent figures in classical Arabic literature. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAn English-only edition.","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50101550776543,"sku":"9781479834945","price":21.6,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0813\/8958\/4607\/files\/enBTR1dseDJTK0g0TmRvKzRCOWMvdz09.webp?v=1781071706","url":"https:\/\/blackandbarhe.com\/products\/the-epistle-of-forgiveness-volumes-one-and-two-paperback","provider":"Black \u0026 Barhe Bookstore","version":"1.0","type":"link"}