The Riddle of Qaf - Essay Example

The riddle of Qaf The Riddle of Qaf is a piece of literature written by Alberto Mussa. The is a Brazilian from Lebanese Descent. The work is originally written in Portuguese language; however, it has been translated to English by Lennie Larkin. The author offers a narrative of passionate poet who is in search for the missing links in the Middle Eastern Literary heritage. The book is divided into two alternate sections that appear one after the other in form excursions and parameters. The author uses the alphabets of Arabic, to divide the book into 28 chapters. The purpose of writing the book in this form is to make an attempt at finding linkages between the individual events or traditions that are very intriguing. The book “The Riddle of Qaf” surrounds on the seven epic poems of the Age of Ignorance. These were the only poems that Arabs believed were worthy of publication in the holiest place on the peninsula. The collection of these seven poems is commonly known as the “Muallaqat”. The traditions also say that these were the only poems from the pre-Islamic that were written and preserved on animal skin. Alberto Mussa is from a Lebanese descent his inclination towards Middle Eastern heritage is justifiable, as his search for exploring his origin (Hassan 327). His passion for understanding the Arab literature can be noticed from the fact that he learnt the command over the language to investigate the original scriptures, instead of extracting the second knowledge of the poetry. The Age of Ignorance, as people of today calls the pre-Islamic Arabian history. Was it really an age of ignorance? Their customs, culture and rituals might not have been acceptable for society of today, but that applies even to the traditions of Nineteenth century, because practices of those days are no more applicable in the Twenty First century. Therefore, the term “the Age of Ignorance”, seems quiet offensive. The revelation of Quran, and the spread of Islam in the peninsula, definitely transformed the pre-existing cultural practices, but one must not forget that even the Quran, which is the final revelation from the Almighty is a book written in Arabic. This language was not revealed by the Lord, it was there from centuries, and anyone who has an association with linguistics and poetry must praise the contribution of Arabs towards literature (Hassan 325). Arabs may be considered as arrogant for their dealings with the non-Arabs, but they must not be called ignorant, considering the amount of literary wealth that they have contributed towards human heritage. Arabic is perhaps one of those languages that offer automatic rhyming, this is why even the miracle of Islam i.e. The Quran was revealed in Arabic. It is one of the most difficult languages to learn and to practice, yet rhyming seems so effortless when one cruise through the poetic heritage of Arabs. Arabia was known for its hospitality, because the land did not produce much for its inhabitants, rather the commerce of the country was based on the foreign traders, who would use the desert to transport their good. By virtue of being a trading route, Arabs had to welcome the guests who brought goods from across the continent. Before the advent of Islam the land possessed lots of unacceptable rituals, but the land was never short blessings, because Arabs were good hosts, they knew how to deal with friends and foes, they knew how manage businesses, and they were chivalrous. Dance and music seems incomplete without poetry, the land was renowned for its hospitality, and the musical evening, dancing, and poetry recitals were ways of entertaining the foreigners, who stopped on their way to their business destinations. Ka’abah has historical importance, according to Holy Scriptures it was first constructed by Adam on the order of God. Later on it was reconstructed by Abraham. The place has always been a source of attraction for the people around globe. During the Age of Ignorance the place harbored Arab gods, they were statues made out of stone, mud and metal. Pilgrims from different parts of the peninsula would come to this place for offering their tribute, and the city of Makkah would host these foreigners. The book mentions some of the very common characters from the Arabian Nights like the Aladin, the Sindbad, and the story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. Moreover, it also offers accounts regarding some of the greatest Arab poets like Zuhayr, Abid or Ubaid, al-Ghatash, the Poet of Labwa (Mussa). Every narrative in the book seems individual, yet they are linked with each other in a beautiful manner. The narrative in the book continues to shift from third person to first person, and the story moves on. In an attempt to connect history of Arab poets, the author has taken the help of family trees that were preserved in those days. Most of the Arab history that is gathered by the historian is by word of mouth. Therefore, the accuracy of the tales told by the Arabs cannot be stored as hundred percent accurate. The best way to find an events occurrence in the past is to check that how many people have reported this event. The book seems like history rewritten with the addition of imagination and colours, other than just the historical facts. As mentioned earlier the accuracy of the records is still questionable, as the plot of the story is mostly inspired from the collection of Muallaqa. Further, Mussa tries to bring in the different aspects of lives of poets to the readers. Almost every poet from the Age of Ignorance had a different tale to tell. If one was a son of noble tribesman, the other’s parents were patients of leprosy. If one was good with ethics, the other was found to be involved in incestuous encounter. The diversity in the life style of the poets reflects the variation in the kind of life that everyone in Arabia has lived in those days of ignorance. The theme or the subject of the investigation is vast, at one point it includes the discussion of Arabs’ origin and history, and on the other it discusses human emotions like love. It includes philosophical developments of the Age of Ignorance, yet it discusses the religious rituals of the land like sacrificing the first or the last offspring to gods for the sake of their blessings. The book also cites the discovery of π “Pi”, it is a magical value, and it is a number which is still used by mathematicians and engineers of today. Most of the people attribute the discovery of Pi with Ptolmy, however, it was a descendent of Labwa tribe who discovered it first, and the name of this discoverer was Spiridon (Mussa). In the book there is a complete chapter dedicated to describe this discoverer, and the name this chapter is “excursion: The Triangles of Spiridon”. The meeting of the poet of Labwa with the prophetess of desert has been elaborated by the author in the book. On his search to find Laila the beauty of Desert, the poet of Labwa asks the prophetess that how he can find the lost beauty. She tells him to follow the path of Raven or crow, and she also tells him that he must first solve the riddle of Qaf. In the text to follow, there is not much references that could relate to the solving the riddle of Qaf, however, at one point the book does mention that it is some sort of mound. The book takes the reader to a journey full of Arabian adventures. It offers accounts related to armed conflict, one on one fight with supernatural creature, it also includes shades of human emotions, achievements and failure. The author does demand its readers to put some stress on their imagination to understand the linkages that he has carved with his pen. The Riddle of Qaf is a book which is a product facts and fiction. It contains the narrative of the people of that land, and it also brings forgotten history back to life. The book in its original version is perhaps more intriguing, but for English readers the translation from Portuguese to English serves the purpose of broadcasting the tale of poets of Arabia to majority of the people. The tale told by Alberto Mussa is unique, and never discussed in this way before. His efforts in search of the missing links must be appreciated. His dedication towards his task is quiet impressive, and it is apparent in the book. Over the entire book is a treat to read, it takes the reader to a new journey, a journey back in time, where one comes in contact with the literary Heritage of the Arabs. Each chapter in the book adds a new dimension to the book; however, it does not let the reader lose his or her path on the journey. After reading this book one would definitely question him- or herself that is it suitable to call the pre-Islamic Arabia the Age of Ignorance. References Hassan, S. W. "Arab-Brazillian Literature: Alberto Mussas Muallaqa and South-South Dialogue." The Middle East and Brazil: Perspective on the New Global South. Ed. Paul Amar. Indian University Press, 2014. 323-334. Mussa, Alberto. The Riddle of Qaf. Aflame Books, 2008. Read More