Characteristics of Arabic Poetry of the Early Islamic Period

(Characteristics of Arabic Poetry of the Early Islamic Period: War, Praise and Eulogy, Love, Animals, Mourning, Satire, Nature, Islamic Philosophy, Wine, Style)

Characteristics of Arabic Poetry of the Early Islamic Period

 

Characteristics of Arabic Poetry of the Early Islamic Period

The period from the time of the Prophet Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina to the reign of the rightly guided Caliphs, i.e. from 622 AD to 661 AD, is called the ‘Early Islamic Period’ in Arabic literature. It is noteworthy that Arabic poetry underwent unprecedented development during the pre-Islamic period (500 AD to 622 AD) and this trend continued during the early Islamic period. However, there were some changes in content, language and style. The major poets of this period were Nabigha al-Ju’di, Hasan bin Thabit, ‘Amor ibn Madikarib, al-Hutayya, Abu Zubayr, al-Hujli, ‘Amor Khansa, etc. These poets were born in the pre-Islamic period and continued to practice poetry in the early Islamic period. They are called ‘Mukhadrim poets’ because they were poets of both eras (Pre-Islamic Era and Early Islamic Era). The word ‘Mukhadrim’ means a mixed race or clan. In addition to the existence of the characteristics of pre-Islamic poetry in their poems, most Mukhadrim poets added Islamic philosophy to their poetry and their imagery and style became temperate. Not all the poems of the poets of the early Islamic period are preserved as most of their poems were composed orally and they made no effort to preserve them. In the late Umayyad and early Abbasid periods, some lovers of literature collected some poems from the mouth of people and prepared several anthologies. A study of the poems preserved in those collections shows that the poems of the poets of the early Islamic period, like those of the pre-Islamic period, reflect all the social, political, cultural, and religious aspects of that time. Their poems also had a variety of themes such as love, war, pride, condemnation, grief, nature, animals, etc. The following are the main characteristics of Arabic poetry of the early Islamic period:

Characteristics of Arabic Poetry of the Early Islamic Period

War

A common theme in Arabic poetry of the early Islamic period is war. For example, the poems of ‘Amr bin Ma’di Karib, Ka’b bin Zuhair, al-Hutayya, etc. describe the wars between Muslims and anti-Muslim pagans of that period. There are also stories of wars with various kingdoms during the reign of the Khelafaye Rashedin. ‘Amr bin Ma’di Karibay wrote in a poem:

Praise and Eulogy

Another major feature of early Islamic poetry is the praise and eulogy of leading figures of that time. In some of al-Hutayya’s poems, he praised those who helped him or showed sympathy for him. He wrote poems praising leading figures such as Abu Musa al-Ansari, al-Waleed bin Uqba, Syed bin al-Ash, and Uyna bin Hisn and won their sympathy and reward.

One of the most famous poems of Ka’b bin Zuhair is ‘Banat Suwad’ (Qasida). He wrote the poem in praise of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The following lines are quoted as examples:

In the last lines of this poem, he praises the Companions of the Prophet and the Mujahideen. The poem is an incomparable poem of praise in the whole range of Early  Islamic Arabic poetry in terms of the excellence of subject matter, fluency of description, depth of emotion, beauty of language, sweetness of rhythm, strategy in poetic skill, wording, religious frenzy and expression of meaning.

Characteristics of Arabic Poetry of the Early Islamic Period

Love

The theme of love occupies a special place in Arabic poetry. There are many references to love in the poetry of the early Islamic period as in the poetry of the pre-Islamic period. For example, Hasan bin Thabit, before his conversion to Islam, wrote many love poems describing the charming beauty of women. 

Al Hutyaiya also wrote some love poems. His love poems contain fascinating poetic descriptions of the female body. His poems contain alluring accounts of the parts of the female body such as the neck, thighs, nose, ears, hair, face, smile, etc. His imageries are innovative and fascinating.

Some of the poems of ‘Amr ibn Ma’di al-Karib were also about love. There is ample account of the beauty of the female body in his poetry but he does not praise it. He was always polite when he wrote about women.

There is also the theme of love in the poetry of Ka’b bin Zuhair. He begins his love poem with a description of the abandoned home of his beloved and then describes her physical beauty. He describes his beloved as a trickster, a deceiver, and a breaker of promises. In a poem he writes:

Animals

Animals are also described in the poetry of the early Islamic period as they are found in the poetry of the pre-Islamic period. For example, many of Kab bin Zuhair’s poems mention camels, horses, donkeys, etc. In a poem he describes the camel he rode as follows:

Mourning

Another frequent theme of early Islamic poetry is mourning (elegy) composed on the death of a loved one.

Hasan bin Thabit composed many poems lamenting the martyred warriors in the battles of Badr and Uhud. He also wrote a long poem mourning the death of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He also composed elegies on Hazrat Uthman (RA), Hazrat Umar (RA), Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib and others.

Abu Zuhair al-Huzli also wrote many mourning poems for his five sons who died of a plague epidemic. In one of his mourning poems, he wrote:

Al Khanacha also composed several elegiac poems mourning his four sons who were killed in the Battle of Qasediya.

Characteristics of Arabic Poetry of the Early Islamic Period

Satire

Satire occupies a special part of Arabic poetry of the early Islamic period. Al Hutaya took revenge on those who hated him by composing satire on them. His satirical poetry did not exclude anyone: his acquaintances, strangers, relatives, or non-relatives. He also wrote poems condemning his own appearance. In a poem he says:

Similarly, the poets such as Hasan bin Thabit and Abu Mihzan Sakafi also wrote poems satirizing the enemies and opponents of Islam.

Characteristics of Arabic Poetry of the Early Islamic Period 

Nature

The theme of nature also occupies a significant place in the poetry of the early Islamic period. For example, al-Huzli’s poetry describes the beauty of nature. In one poem, he gives a wonderful poetic description of the clouds. Another poem describes the collection of honey by bees.

Similarly, the poems of Ma’di Karib, Abu al-Zohair, etc. depict the roughness of the desert and the cruelty of nature.

Characteristics of Arabic Poetry of the Early Islamic Period

Islamic Philosophy

A notable and admirable feature of the poetry of the early Islamic period is Islamic philosophy. The poets of this period were influenced by the philosophy of Islam preached by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him),  and this was reflected in their poetry. Hasan bin Thabit, who was influenced by Islamic philosophy, wrote a poem describing the Oneness and Greatness of Allah as under:

Some of the poems of ‘Amr Ibn Ma’di Karibar express the philosophical truth of life as follows:

Al-Huzli’s mourning poems reflect his psychological and philosophical views on death. He says about death: 

Some of al-Khansa’s poems also refer to Islamic philosophies such as unity, greatness, and mercy of God.

Characteristics of Arabic Poetry of the Early Islamic Period

Wine

Wine is described in some poems written during the early Islamic period, but this was limited to a few poems. For example, Abu Mihzan Sakafi composed several beautiful poems on wine. In a poem he wrote–

Style

There is no significant difference between Arabic poetry of the early Islamic period and poetry of the pre-Islamic period, although the language of the poetry of the early Islamic period seems to be somewhat elegant and simple. There is also some innovation in the imagery of the poets of this period. For example, Ka’b bin Zuhair, in one of his love poems, gives an innovative picture of the beauty of his beloved, as follows:

“Her white teeth are washed off with wine

As cold as snow

As sweet as the breeze blowing from North.”

The balanced use of words in al-Hutayya’s poetry is remarkable, but he also used unfamiliar words in many of his poems.

The language of Ma’di Karib’s poetry is deep, the emotions are serious and the descriptions are simple and brilliant, the imagination is thoughtful.

In conclusion, the characteristics of pre-Islamic poetry and early Islamic poetry are quite similar, but early Islamic poetry is free from vulgarity and influenced by Islamic philosophy, and somewhat elegant and simple in language and style. 0 0 0.

Characteristics of Arabic Poetry of the Early Islamic Period

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

Characteristics of Arabic Poetry of the Early Islamic Period

Note: The article ‘Characteristics of Arabic Poetry of 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. Characteristics of Arabic Poetry of the Early Islamic Period.

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