al-Sihr al-Halal fi al-Hikam wa al-Amthal
- Author died
- 1362 AH
- Editions
- Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah
al-Sihr al-Halal fi al-Hikam wa al-Amthal (Permissible Magic in Maxims and Proverbs) is a compendium of poetic adages and proverbs compiled by the Egyptian scholar and man of letters Ahmad al-Hashimi (1295–1362 AH / 1878–1943 CE).
Purpose and Scope
In his introduction, Ahmad al-Hashimi states that the greatest blessing bestowed upon humanity is the eloquence of the tongue through clear expression, and that a person's finest ornament is a decisive argument, a profound piece of wisdom, an honorable proverb, or a refined saying. Citing the Quranic verse: وَمَن يُؤْتَ الْحِكْمَةَ فَقَدْ أُوتِيَ خَيْرًا كَثِيرًا ("And whoever is granted wisdom has certainly been granted much good"), he compiled the work to bring together an attractive garden of proverbs and radiant maxims, entitling it al-Sihr al-Halal fi al-Hikam wa al-Amthal.
Structure and Content
The book is structured alphabetically into chapters based on the letters of the Arabic alphabet (Harf al-Hamzah, Harf al-Ba', Harf al-Ta', and so on). Within each chapter, the compiler collects poetic verses that function as proverbs and aphorisms. The selections address a wide range of ethical, social, and philosophical subjects, including dealing with people, the virtue of silence over folly, facing adversity, patience, generous conduct, friendship, and the vicissitudes of time.
Publication
The work has been published in Beirut by Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah.
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