The word Maqama (plural Maqamat ) translates to "assembly" or "session." Each maqama is a standalone short story, typically set in a different city of the medieval Islamic world (from Samarkand to Andalusia). The plot structure is formulaic but infinitely inventive:
The standard English version was completed in two volumes by different translators in the 19th century. Both are available for free download: Volume 1 (Assemblies 1–26) : Translated by Thomas Chenery maqamat al-hariri english translation pdf