# LXXXVIII explained — The Luzumiyat

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

## What happens

The speaker confronts Destiny as an opponent in a cosmic game played on the checker-board of night and day, acknowledging the grim contest but foreseeing a time when the board will be turned, ending the game.

## Themes in this chapter

### Fate and Destiny

The chapter personifies Destiny as an opponent in a game of give and go, emphasizing the inescapable yet finite nature of fate.

### Illusion and Reality

The checker-board of Night and Day suggests life as a transient game, hinting at the illusory nature of worldly struggles.

## Character check-ins

### Fate

Addressed as 'grim Destiny' in the contest of life's game.

## Key lines

> I give and go, grim Destiny⁠—I play Upon this checker-board of Night and Day The dark game with thee, but the day will come When one will turn the Board the other way.

I engage in this somber game with you, harsh Fate, moving across the board of time, but eventually someone will flip the board and end the match.

_The speaker acknowledges a struggle with destiny but anticipates a final reversal._

## Links

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