Maqamat al-Hariri

Published by Dar Sader, "The Maqamat of Al-Hariri" stands as one of the ultimate achievements in classical Arabic prose and rhetorical virtuosity. Building upon the genre founded by Badi' al-Zaman al-Hamadhani, Al-Hariri crafted fifty witty and intricate rhymed-prose tales (maqamat). The stories follow the adventures of Abu Zayd al-Saruji, a silver-tongued rogue who uses his extraordinary eloquence and intellect to navigate life, as chronicled by the narrator Al-Harith ibn Hammam. Renowned for its unparalleled linguistic complexity, wordplay, palindromes, and grammatical riddles, this collection remains a cornerstone of classical Arabic literary study.

It is an essential masterclass in classical Arabic syntax, wordplay, and narrative ingenuity, offering a unique glimpse into medieval Arab culture and humor.

Scholars, students of classical Arabic literature and linguistics, prose writers, and anyone looking to experience the highest pinnacle of traditional Arabic rhetoric and storytelling.