Wideranging essays on Moroccan history Sufism and religious life Alasan alYusi was arguably the most influential and wellknown Moroccan intellectual figure of his generation. In 10841685 at the age of roughly fiftyfour and after a long and distinguished career this Amazigh scholar from the Middle Atlas began writing a collection of short essays on a wide variety of subjects. Completed three years later and gathered together under the title Discourses on Language and Literature alMuhadarat fi ladab wallughah they offer rich insight into the varied intellectual interests of an ambitious and gifted Moroccan scholar covering subjects as diverse as genealogy theology Sufism history and social mores. In addition to representing the authors intellectual interests The Discourses also includes numerous autobiographical anecdotes which offer valuable insight into the history of Morocco including the transition from the Saadian to the Alaouite dynasty which occurred during alYusis lifetime. Translated into English for the first time The Discourses offers readers access to the intellectual landscape of the early modern Muslim world through an author who speaks openly and frankly about his personal life and his relationships with his countrys rulers scholars and commoners.An Englishonly edition.