The Epistle of Forgiveness

Author's name: Abu al-Ala al-Ma'arri

The Epistle of Forgiveness is a book written by Abu Al-Ala during his isolation in response to a letter sent to him by a Sheikh from Aleppo, a man of letters and storytellers, called Ali bin Mansour, known as Ibn Al-Qarih. In it, he complains to him about his situation and tells him about some of his circumstances. Then he mentions some heretics and atheists, or those accused of their religion, talking about them and mentioning some of their stories. Then, at the end, he asks him to answer it. This epistle would not have been included in the history of Arabic literature if it had not been the reason for creating the Epistle of Forgiveness. The blind philosopher did not want to answer his questioner until he began his answer with a wonderful story whose events took place in the place of resurrection, from heaven to hell. He called it the Epistle of Forgiveness because of the frequent mention of forgiveness and its derivatives and what was mentioned in its meaning, and the question of the poet who was destined to be saved: How did He forgive you?

This treatise is divided into two parts: the first: The Narrative of Forgiveness, and the second: The Response to Ibn al-Qarih. Abu al-Ala' began this treatise with a description of Ibn al-Qarih's treatise. The Narrative of Forgiveness is divided into six chapters: Chapter One - In Paradise, Chapter Two - The Standing of the Gathering, Chapter Three - A Return to Paradise, Chapter Four - The Paradise of the Demons, Chapter Five - Hell, Chapter Six - The Return to Paradise.