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The Assemblies of al-កarīrī

work by al-កarīrī
Also known as: “Maqāmāt”

Quick Summary

The Assemblies of al-Hariri is a collection of tales by the 11th-century Arab scholar and official, al-Hariri. The work recounts the adventures of Abū Zayd al-Sarūjī, a charismatic con artist, as told by the narrator, al-កārith ibn Hammām.1

In these stories, Abū Zayd skillfully deceives crowds with his eloquence and poetic talent, only to disappear with their gifts. Al-Hariri's Maqāmāt (Assemblies) blend his expertise in Arabic grammar, style, and verse with humor and linguistic artistry. While the maqāmah form existed before him, al-Hariri is credited with refining it into a literary masterpiece, influencing later Arabic literature.12

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