The title has been variously translated into English as Unnecessary Necessity, The Self-Imposed Compulsion or Committing oneself to what is not obligatory. This is a reference to the difficult, 'unnecessary' rhyme scheme which Al-Ma'arri applied to his work. This self-imposed technical challenge was a parallel to other constraints he adopted in his own life, including vegetarianism and virtual social isolation. The poems were written over a period of many years and bear no individual titles. They were circulated by Al-Ma'arri under the title Luz煤miyy膩t during his lifetime.[4] The poems are known chiefly for the ideas they contain, written in an ironic and, at times, cynical tone. Unlike traditional qasidas, they focus on doubt, uncertainty, sin, death, and the afterlife.
lines on average. Each of these poems represents a brief and painful thought, or some paradox, or the overturning of a common idea. Exploits of rhyme and abstruse grammar contain a wry humour and moments of absurdity. Nothing is discussed at length; each poem contains ideas left incomplete or questions unresolved.[12]
We find in them his view that religion is a superstition; wine, an unmitigated evil; virtue, its own reward; doubt, a way to truth; reason, the only guide to truth.[4] The heterodox ideas alluded to in these poems include a respect for all living beings that informed Al-Ma'arri's vegetarianism, a doctrine described by some of his biographers as Brahminism. He also advocated the Indian custom of cremation and appeared to espouse in Jain belief in final annihilation.[13] He also expressed his commitment to non-violence.[14]
In addition to these unorthodox ideas, the Luz奴miyy膩t contained passages mocking not only Jews and Christians, but also fanatic Muslims.[13] During the poet's life, the ideas in the collection do not seem to led to any lack of regard for him. After his death however, pious Muslim scholars were inclined not to emphasise his thought.
I simply can鈥檛 rate this. It鈥檚 too perfect to break down and talk about. Pessoa was my entrance toward translating inner concerns and thoughts into barely tangible pieces that shook your core when you read them, then here I met Abu Ala鈥檃 who made Pessoa sound like an amateur, showcased melancholy and nihilism in such beautiful phrases, and demonstrated great wisdom and understanding of the nature of humanity that is humbling, translucent, and got me to reflect over what I took to be absolute truths. Genius. 亘賷爻賵丕 賵 丕亘賷 丕賱毓賱丕亍 .. 丕賱丕孬賳賷賳 噩賲賷賱賷賳 賵 賱賰賳 丕亘賷 丕賱毓賱丕亍 賷睾乇丿 禺丕乇噩 丕賱爻乇亘