The Luzumiyat · Chapter
Chapter XXIX explained
The chapter explores the paradox of trust and doubt, suggesting that fear-based trust leads to truth, while complete trust betrays wisdom.
What happens
The chapter explores the paradox of trust and doubt, suggesting that fear-based trust leads to truth, while complete trust betrays wisdom. Doubt is presented as a valuable tool for exposing falsehood.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Themes in this chapter
- Doubt and Skepticism
Doubt is celebrated as a means to reveal falsehood and approach truth.
Characters to notice
- Abu al-ʻAlaʼ al-Maʻarri
The speaker of the quatrain, reflecting on trust and doubt.
Key passages
“By fearing whom I trust I find my way To truth; by trusting wholly I betray The trust of wisdom; better far is doubt Which brings the false into the light of day.”
By cautiously trusting, I discover truth; by trusting completely, I undermine wisdom. Doubt is far superior because it exposes falsehood.
The quatrain contrasts cautious trust with blind trust, advocating for skepticism.
