The Luzumiyat · Chapter
LIV explained
The speaker confesses a personal truth to the masters of the marketplace, revealing the secret anguish of his heart beneath the surface of his teachings on creeds and ancient arts.
What happens
The speaker confesses a personal truth to the masters of the marketplace, revealing the secret anguish of his heart beneath the surface of his teachings on creeds and ancient arts.
Themes in this chapter
Suffering and Resilience
The speaker's 'wincing heart' reveals personal suffering beneath the facade of teaching.
Illusion and Reality
The contrast between the speaker's public teachings on 'rusty creeds' and the private truth of his heart underscores the tension between appearance and reality.
Characters to notice
- Abu al-ʻAlaʼ al-Maʻarri
The speaker, addressing the masters of the mart, reveals the secret of his wincing heart.
Key passages
“Sooth I have told the masters of the mart Of rusty creeds and Babylonian art Of magic. Now the truth about myself— Here is the secret of my wincing heart.”
Truly, I have spoken to the merchants of stale doctrines and ancient magical arts. But now I reveal the truth about myself—the hidden pain within my heart.
The speaker shifts from teaching others to confessing his own inner turmoil.