{"product_id":"the-epistle-of-forgiveness-9781479865512","title":"The Epistle of Forgiveness","description":"\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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn English-only edition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Abū l-ʿAlāʾ al-Maʿarrī","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48090510688507,"sku":"9781479865512","price":14.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0779\/3917\/9771\/files\/CoreSourceHub_91f18b5c-3a01-4e37-b71e-42637ff1b2da.jpg?v=1770444164","url":"https:\/\/indiepubs.com\/products\/the-epistle-of-forgiveness-9781479865512","provider":"IndiePubs","version":"1.0","type":"link"}