And say: My lord, increase me knowledge-wise

وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا

Potsherds and preparation

Potsherds and preparation

Iran  (c. 10th century) / The Met 

Iran  (c. 10th century) / The Met 

Seldom does witticism shrunk down to pithy fortune cookie scale pass for art. Yet if ever ironclad rule admitted of exception, this bowl is it.

It reads:

التدبير قبل العمل یؤمنك من الندم اليُمْنُ والسلامه
Preparation before work spares you regret. Blessings and peace!

Surpassing elegance spares even a prosaic message from banality.

Knockin’ on heaven’s door

Knockin’ on heaven’s door

Abu Nuwas, wine, and woe: a new translation

Abu Nuwas, wine, and woe: a new translation