Conversation so far:
Where was Al-Maʿarri born?
Abu al-'Ala` was born in Ma'arra.
Who were his parents?
Abu al-'Ala` was born in Ma'arra, modern Maarrat al-Nu'man.

Question: What was his childhood like?
Self-contained rewrite: What was Al-Ma'arri's childhood like in Life?