{"collection":"Texts of Islam","full_text_available":false,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/sacred_texts_v1_isl_daa_daa06_htm/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/sacred_texts_v1_isl_daa_daa06_htm","id":"sacred_texts_v1_isl_daa_daa06_htm","license":"unknown_pending_legal_review","rights_basis":"sacred_texts_v1_preview_gate_primary_text_only; acquisition-method/ToS and compilation-copyright questions still open, not resolved by this gate","source":"sacred_texts_v1","source_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/isl/daa/daa06.htm","summary":"This is an appendix to a 1909 English translation of the *Diwan* (collected verse) of Abu'l-Ala al-Ma'arri, the medieval Arab poet, translated by Henry Baerlein. The appendix has two parts: a scholarly note explaining the conventions of Arab naming systems, and a few additional translated quatrains from the poet. The naming section methodically breaks down the components of Arab names \u2014 patronymics, personal names, ethnic names, honorifics, and trade names \u2014 with colorful examples illustrating how the system grew so elaborate that the scholar al-Biruni complained reciting a man's full titles risked making one late for prayer. The central point is that Abu'l-Ala's name is an honorific patronymic meaning \"father of excellence,\" adopted because he had no son, a practice common across Arab culture and with parallels in other traditions. The appended quatrains, introduced with a parallel quote from Seneca on time's misuse, are bleak and stoic in tone \u2014 consistent with Abu'l-Ala's reputation for pessimistic philosophical verse \u2014 meditating on human disposability and the indifference of fate. This text will interest readers curious about classical Arab onomastics or seeking context for a major but underread medieval poet.","tags":[],"text":null,"title":"The Diwan of Abu'l-Ala: Appendix","tradition":"Texts of Islam","translated_text":null,"word_count":615}