Al-Ma'arri

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Abu al-Ala' Ahmed ibn Abd Allah ibn Sullaiman al-Tanookhy al-Ma'arri (Arabic: أبو العلاء أحمد بن عبد الله بن سليمان التنوخي المعري. December 26, 973 - May 10 or May 21, 1057) was a blind Arab[1] philosopher poet and writer. Abul-'Ala lost his sight at the age of five.

His collections of poetry are titled The Tinder Spark (Saqt az-zand; سقط الزند) and Unnecessary Necessity (Luzum ma la yalzam; لزوم ما لا يلزم أو اللزوميات), also called the Luzumiyat. He hailed from the city of Ma'arra (المعرة) in Syria from which his name derives. He was notable for his apparent disbelief in revealed religions, which was rare in the 11th century.^[1]

Abul-'Ala is also well known for his famous book The Epistle of Forgiveness (Resalat Al-Ghufran; رسالة الغفران ) which is one of the most effective books in the Arabic heritage and which left a notable influence on the next generations of writers. It is a book of divine comedy that concentrates on the Arabic poetical civilization but in a way that touches all aspects of life. The most interesting characteristics of Resalat Al-Ghufran are its genius digression, deep philosophy, and brilliant language. Some say that the Resalat Al-Ghufran has clearly had an influence on, or has even inspired Alighieri Dante's Divine Comedy.

[edit] See also

• Arabic literature
• List of Arab scientists and scholars
• Bangsian fantasy

[edit] References

1. ^ Freethought Traditions in the Islamic World by Fred Whitehead

• [2] Al-Ma'arri's poems (in English).
• [3]Encyclopædia Britannica.
• [4]