Arabic Prose Literature in the Early Islamic Period

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Arabic Prose Literature in the Early Islamic Period

Arabic Prose Literature in the Early Islamic Period

Arabic Prose Literature in the Early Islamic Period

Arabic Prose Literature in the Early Islamic Period

‘Prose’ usually refers to the rhythmless language in which people converse in everyday life. The language of conversation is often disjointed and the method and manner of expression vary from person to person or from region to region. However, in prose, when a subject or context is expressed in a systematic manner to affect the listener, it becomes literature. There is literature in all the languages ​​of the world – it can be written or spoken. Unfortunately, prose literature was not given as much importance as poetry was given in ancient times. Therefore, the process of preserving prose literature in written form began much later than poetry. Arabic, one of the oldest languages ​​in the world, is rich in both prose and poetry. The literary tradition of this language dates back to the pre-Islamic period, although this period is famous for its poetic literature. However, if we look at the pages of history, we will see that prose literature, like Arabic poetry, sprouted in the pre-Islamic period. However, the scope of prose literature in the pre-Islamic period was very narrow and was limited to proverbs, discourses, traditional stories, legends, sayings of priests, etc. In other words, to say, the prose literature of the pre-Islamic period was like a newborn baby.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) migrated from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, marking the beginning of the Islamic era in the history of Arabic literature. The Islamic period from 622 AD to 661 AD is considered to be the Early Islamic Period. During the early Islamic period, the scope of Arabic prose literature expanded and the style of ‘Arabic prose improved. During this period, new subjects such as hadith, letters, commentaries, history, etc. were added to Arabic prose literature and gave Arabic prose a new dimension and Arabic prose moved towards modernity. The following is a brief discussion of the various branches of Arabic prose literature born in the early Islamic period:

Hadiths

The hadiths of the Prophet occupy the lion’s share of the prose literature of the early Islamic period. Hadith includes the words, deeds, commands, discourses, etc. given to the Companions, the interpretation of the Qur’an by the Prophet, the accounts of people who came into contact with the Prophet, the battles he fought, and the letters he wrote to various leaders. The Prophet’s hadiths were first tried to be written down by his Companions and those who came into contact with him because they believed that the Prophet’s words were infallible, just and true. Since the Prophet followed the laws of the Qur’an given by Allah word by word in his personal life, his words, deeds, lifestyle, commands, and prohibitions were considered beyond doubt. The language of the hadith was pure prose. The hadiths of the Prophet were initially transmitted by the Companions orally and later they were preserved in written form. The prose of the hadiths was simple and easy to understand. Therefore, the hadiths of the Prophet gave simplicity, ease of understanding, rationality and universality to the Arabic language. The prose of the hadiths greatly influenced the language of later Arabic prose literature. Therefore, the hadith books are considered a milestone in the history of the Arabic language and literature.

Letters

Another branch of prose literature of the early Islamic period was letters, treaties, and speeches written as required at the time. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sent some letters to neighboring statesmen and employees in various places. In addition, the rightly guided Caliphs also had to write letters, orders, government proclamations, etc. to the provincial rulers from time to time during their reign. They are valuable resources of prose literature of the early Islamic period. They were written in prose and the language of the prose was simple and straightforward. There was no exaggeration in those correspondences. However, during the reign of Hazrat Ali, the fourth Caliph of Islam, the language of his letters was somewhat longer and the language of his prose was somewhat rhetorical. These correspondences reflect the social and political conditions of the time. 

In addition, the lectures delivered by poets, writers, leading figures, etc. on various occasions also bear samples of Arabic prose literature of the time. For example, the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) speech delivered at Arafat in Mecca. The speech is of immense importance in the history of Islam. The language of the speech was simple but noble and fascinating. The speech is a summary of the commandments and prohibitions from Allah to mankind.

Tafsir

‘Tafsir’ refers to the interpretation, notes, commentaries, etc. of the Qur’an. The Qur’an is a vast storehouse of knowledge. It contains the basic lessons of all the subjects necessary in human life. It contains many examples, allusions, parables references etc. The Prophet had to explain them in his own language because they were incomprehensible to ordinary readers. There is no mention in the Qur’an about how to apply some of the laws given by Allah in real life. For example, although there are commandments to pay salat, alms, and zakat, there is no explanation in the Qur’an about the method of paying these. The Prophet had to explain these matters. After the death of the Prophet, many scholars have written tafsir (explanations, notes) on the Qur’an. These are also a significant part of Arabic prose literature.

History

History is a branch of prose literature that originated in the early Islamic period. Many verses of the Qur’an were revealed based on historical events. As a result, the teaching of history went hand in hand with the study of the Hadith and the Qur’an. Such historical accounts are found in the commentaries and explanations of the Qur’an. During the reign of the Caliphs, history takes several forms, such as the biographies of the Prophets and Companions and their deeds, the battles of the Muslims with the Quraysh, and the expansion of Islam. These can be studied to gain knowledge of all aspects of the social, political, religious, cultural, and intellectual life of that time.

In addition to these, many speakers of the early Islamic period also delivered lectures in various places on various occasions. For example, poets such as Nabigha al-Ju’di, al-Hutayya, Abu Zubayr al-Hujli, and ‘Amr ibn Madikarib were also good speakers. Their speeches also represent early Arabic prose literature.

However, the influence of hadith on the development of prose literature in the early Islamic period was very strong and groundbreaking. The prose of the Hadith is still considered the ideal prose of the Arabic language.

To sum up, Arabic prose, which was born in the pre-Islamic period, learned to stand on its own feet and began to speak out in the early Islamic period. 0 0 0.

Arabic Prose Literature in the Early Islamic Period

Arabic Prose Literature in the Early Islamic Period

Read More: A Brief History of Arabic Literature: Pre-Islamic Period (500 AD-622 AD)

Arabic Prose Literature in the Early Islamic Period

Note: The article ‘Arabic Prose Literature in the Early Islamic Period’ originally belongs to the book entitled ‘A Brief History of the Arabic Literature: Early Islamic Period (622 AD -661 AD)’ by Menonim Menonimus. Arabic Prose Literature in the Early Islamic Period

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I am Menonim Menonimus, a Philosopher & Writer.

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