Al-Ma'arri

Al-Maʿarri_by_Khalil_Gibran_(cropped)

Saqt_al-Zand

Resalat_Al-Ghufran_book_cover,_Commerial_library_edition_(1923)

Al-Ma'arri (full name: Abu al-Ala al-Ma'arri) was a blind Arab philosopher, poet, and writer. He was born in December 973 in Ma'arrat al-Nu'man, a town in present-day Syria, and died in May 1057. Al-Ma'arri is known for his controversial views on religion, his pessimistic philosophy, and his literary works that have influenced many subsequent writers and thinkers.

Early Life[edit | edit source]

Al-Ma'arri was born into a prominent family in Ma'arrat al-Nu'man. He lost his eyesight at a young age due to smallpox, but this did not deter him from pursuing knowledge. He received a traditional education in Arabic literature, Islamic jurisprudence, and philosophy. Despite his blindness, Al-Ma'arri became a prolific writer and thinker.

Literary Works[edit | edit source]

Al-Ma'arri's literary output includes poetry, prose, and philosophical treatises. Some of his most notable works are:

The Epistle of Forgiveness (Risalat al-Ghufran): A satirical work that explores themes of the afterlife and critiques religious dogma.
The Tinder Spark (Saqt al-Zand): A collection of poems that reflect his early style and themes.
The Unnecessary Necessity (Luzumiyat): A collection of philosophical poetry that delves into his views on life, death, and the human condition.

Philosophy[edit | edit source]

Al-Ma'arri is often described as a pessimist and a skeptic. He questioned the validity of religious beliefs and criticized the moral and intellectual shortcomings of his contemporaries. His philosophy can be summarized by his famous saying: "The world is divided into two types of people: those with brains but no religion, and those with religion but no brains."

Controversies[edit | edit source]

Al-Ma'arri's views were highly controversial, especially his criticism of religious practices and beliefs. He was accused of heresy and faced opposition from religious authorities. Despite this, he remained steadfast in his beliefs and continued to write and teach.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Al-Ma'arri's works have had a lasting impact on Arabic literature and philosophy. He is considered one of the greatest classical Arab poets and a precursor to modern secular thought in the Arab world. His influence can be seen in the works of later poets and philosophers who admired his courage and intellectual independence.