The Message of Sahl bin Haroun “on Avarice” Reading in the Parameters of Controversy

Abstract

This paper explores the message sent by Sahl bin Haroun (215 H) to his cousins who descend from the AlRahboun clan. In this message, the author supports his attitude toward avarice, generosity and issues affiliated with economics. The message is an epitome of rational disputation and it reveals the nature of controversy during the author’s life-time between Arabs and Persians on traditions, values and related cultural, social, intellectual and doctrinal issues. The study underlines the significance of the message as an argumentative text deploying evidence and counter-arguments in a robust manner. The study will investigate the origin of the message and its affiliation with the author since it was mentioned in AlJahedh’s introduction to his book (The Misers). In this context, the study will analyze the message from different perspectives to reach precise conclusions about its historical importance in the light of documented evidence. Key Words: Sahal bin Haroun,Paremeters Theory,Politness Letters,Old Arabic Prose