# LXXXIII explained — The Luzumiyat

> Chapter companion for The Luzumiyat by Abu al-ʻAlaʼ al-Maʻarri.

## What happens

The chapter reflects on the transient nature of human knowledge and the enduring power of the universe, suggesting that all attempts to understand divine mysteries are ultimately erased by time and space.

## Themes in this chapter

### Mortality and Transience

The sun's writing and effacing of mystic symbols underscores the fleeting nature of human achievements and knowledge.

### Illusion and Reality

The 'mystic symbols' that sages trace in vain suggest a contrast between human illusions of understanding and the true, enduring reality of the universe.

## Key lines

> And thus the Sun will write and will efface The mystic symbols which the sages trace In vain

The sun inscribes and then erases the secret signs that wise people try to decipher, but their efforts are futile.

_Highlights the theme of transience and the limits of human knowledge._

> for all the worlds of God are stored In his enduring vessels Time and Space.

Because all of God's creations are contained within the eternal containers of time and space.

_Emphasizes the permanence of the divine cosmos compared to ephemeral human endeavors._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_luzumiyat_se/chapters/lxxxiii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_luzumiyat_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_luzumiyat_se/chapters