Muḥammad al-Ḥarīrī to complete the Maqāmāt. The reason was that Abū Muḥammad was sitting one day (1) in the Banū Ḥarām Mosque, in one of Basra’s quarters, when an elderly man in two threadbare garments entered. They asked him, “Who are you?” He replied, “I am a man from Sarūj; they call me Abū Zayd.” Al-Ḥarīrī thereupon composed the Ḥarāmiyyah Maqāmah, which quickly became famous among the people. When the vizier Anushirwan read it, he was impressed and ordered Abū Muḥammad al-Ḥarīrī to add others. Al-Ḥarīrī produced, along with it, the full set of fifty maqāmāt—the celebrated collection still circulating among people today. The vizier Anushirwan was generous and widely praised, though he was reputed to incline toward Shiʿism (2). Al-Ḥarīrī, author of the Maqāmāt, praised him in verse:

O that I but knew—though wishing is mere self-consolation (3),
    Even if it brings some ease to a heart in distress.
Do you realize that since your dwellings grew distant (4)
    And my approach to your ample precinct became remote,
I endure a longing whose blaze never abates (5),
    Turning me over at night from side to side.
I recall the days of our meeting and I bend (6),
    For their memory lays bare my sorrow and steals my wits.
At every moment I yearn for you (7)
    With a pang no less than the parched man’s thirst for cool, sweet water.
By Allah, were I to hide my love for you,
    It would not stay hidden in East or West.
What has further pained and worn my anguished heart
    Is your being content to neglect replying to my letters.
I once feared no estrangement even when I erred;
    Now I dread it though I bear no sin.
When the Iraqi delegation set out toward you
    And I lacked the means to travel with the caravan,
I made my letter take my place of necessity,
    For he who finds no water performs tayammum (dry ablution) with dust.
I also dispatched a piece of my very flesh (8)
    So that it might inform you (9) [about the worst] (10) of my state and enquire.
I see no honor, once you know my condition (11),
    Greater than your apology—your apology suffices (12).