Paragraphs and Periods

The Paragraphs and Periods is a collection of homilies in Arabic rhymed prose, authored by al-Ma'arri. The book is noted for being a deliberate imitation of the Quran.
There is no indication that al-Ma'arri intended his work to be viewed as a genuine competitor to the Quran or to assert any claims of divine revelation. Many Muslim contemporaries of al-Maʿarrī believed that his book ridiculed the Quran and condemned it. However, in subsequent centuries, many supporters argued that it represented genuine piety and true glorification of God. Modern scholars hold differing opinions; while some view it as a parody, others see it as a critique of conventional literature.