Structural Differential in the Character Portrayal of Ibn Al-Qaarih In the Epistle of Forgiveness (Risaalat Al-Ghufraan)

Abstract

This study examines types of structural differential anddenotations of bright statements whereby what is said differs from what is meant from an artistic and rhetorical perspective. The study does not investigate all types of differentials. It is exclusively concerned with examining certain forms of structural differentials. Moreover, it does not tackle the Epistle of forgiveness on the basis of religious prosecution. It is known that Ibn Al-Qaarih, the Aleppene writer, sent a letter to Abu Al-Alaa' explaining a number of linguistic and critical views regarding some controversial issues  prevailing at that time, including Ibn Al-Qaarih's favoring of the poetry of Al-Buhturi over the poetry of Al-Mutanabbi. This angered  Abu Al-Alaa' and  incited him to write the Epistle of Forgiveness to ridicule the issues that prevailed in his era, using the art of differential as a fierce weapon against those whom he disagreed with in different cultural fields.