The book also includes: - Selected hadith utterances: the Prophet's counsel as traditionally related by Islamic peoples.- Quatrains by Omar Khayyam and Abul Alaa Al-Ma'arri, free-thinking poets of the 11th C.- Couplets by the erudite Sheikh Sadi of Shiraz, a famous Sufi poet of the 13th C.- Stories of Bahlool, a figure from folklore, and his amusing encounters in ancient Baghdad.

This is the first detailed study that critically compares and contrasts the wisdom sentences of the Book of Proverbs with classical and post-classical Arabic proverbs; reference is also made to current Arabic proverbs. The wisdom tradition of Solomon is examined and is compared to that of the Arab sage Luqmân. The book deals with three main themes that are of special significance both in the Book of Proverbs and in Arabic proverbial works: royalty, speech and silence, wealth and poverty. The book concludes with a study of some form-critical and traditio-historical aspects of the treated proverbs. Hundreds of classical Arabic proverbs and wisdom sayings of Prophet Muḥammad appear for the first time in English.

This monumental collection of over one thousand proverbs from Palestine and across the Arabic-speaking world provides an informative and entertaining treasure trove of knowledge for anyone with interest in this remarkable culture. The central role of proverbs in daily speech originates from a universal reverence in Arab culture for language and especially poetry. The Arabic language has enjoyed a long tradition of both secular and religious poetry, beginning with the pre-Islamic Jahiliyya poets and continuing today in popular verse. Arabs everywhere take great pride in this tradition and in the Arabic language itself, a pride which is evident in the frequent usage of proverbs in literature, the media and every-day conversation. Given the integral role of proverbs in Palestinian life, and indeed throughout all Arab cultures, the study of such proverbs as used by Palestinians offers a unique perspective on the beliefs and values shared among all Arabs.

Completed just before his death in 1817 by one of the foremost European pioneers in Arabic studies. Reprint with Introduction by C.E. Bosworth.