The Role of Muslims in the Formation and Development of Sciences (Part 46)
The Role of Muslims in Literary Sciences
The Arabs knew the science of literature before Islam, and if it is possible to trace the beginning of literature such as Latin and Persian, the beginning of Arabic literature cannot be traced precisely; because this science is older than the texts that have come down to us, and although Muslims learned many sciences from Greece; they did not adopt anything important from Greek literature despite its glory; also, Arabic literature was not influenced by the Greek style, although they were familiar with some Greek literary books such as Aristotle’s “Art of Poetry” and the two famous epics “Iliad” and “Odyssey”; on the contrary, Arabic literature influenced European literature [which originated from Greek and Latin literature], and undoubtedly, literature expresses the soul of a nation; therefore, Arabic literature is also a reflection of the Arab and Islamic soul.
Scholars have defined the science of literature as follows: It is a knowledge that protects a person from all kinds of errors in Arabic speech and writing, and the ultimate goal of this science is skill in the two arts of poetry and prose, in addition to cultivating the intellect and purifying the soul.
Imam Ibn Khaldun also says: The purpose of this science for the people of language is to exploit its results, that is, skill in poetry and prose based on Arabic styles and methods.
The origin and root of the word “literature” is unknown, and this word evolved during the Islamic period; because the Arabs contacted with the conquered lands that had literature, and with the spread of Islam among the people of those regions, the concept of “literature” also changed. At the beginning of Islam, “literature” had a religious meaning and referred to the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Then it came to mean style, method, and procedure in doing anything, and then to mean “general culture” and “familiarity with various branches of science,” although finally it was limited to skill in poetry and prose.
But “Nazm” is poetry; A rhythmic speech with a specific rhyme (the same final letter in each verse) Considering the antiquity of poetry among the Arabs, they considered it one of their greatest sciences, and poems with specific meters have come down to us from the era of ignorance, which the Arabs composed in various forms, forms that later became known as “Rajz”, “Qarid”, “Maqbooz” and “mabsut”. The Arabs formed markets for their poets at certain times where the elders gathered to listen and read poetry in the era of ignorance, and any poet whose poetry stood out would hang his ode on the walls of the Kaaba and call it “Mo’alaqah”.
The topics of Arabic poetry were diverse, including boasting, praise, epigram, lamentation, description and romantic, one of the most prominent of which was “Mafakhira”; Meaning “boasting and honoring tribal prejudices and lineage.” Arabic sources are full of examples of boasting that occurred among tribal poets during the pre-Islamic period and sometimes led to war and bloodshed; but with the arrival of Islam, these objectionable boastings were prohibited.
Among the most famous pre-Islamic Arab poets are “Mahlahal”, “Amru al-Qays”, “Nabighah al-Zubayni”, “Zuhair ibn Abi Salma”, “Antara ibn Shaddad”, “Tarfa ibn al-Abd”, “Alqamah al-Fahal”, “A’ishah” and “Labid ibn Rabi’ah”, as well as female poets such as “Hind” and “Khansa”.
Islam had a new approach to poetry by prohibited boasting about tribal prejudices, which was also one of the main themes of pre-Islamic poetry and caused division and war among the Arabs. Islam’s view of poetry was a balanced view, it condemned the hypocrites in poetry and praised the honest ones, as Allah Almighty said: «وَالشُّعَرَاءُ يَتَّبِعُهُمُ الْغَاوُونَ أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّهُمْ فِي كُلِّ وَادٍ يَهِيمُونَ وَأَنَّهُمْ يَقُولُونَ مَا لَا يَفْعَلُونَ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَذَكَرُوا اللَّهَ كَثِيراً وَانتَصَرُوا مِن بَعْدِ مَا ظُلِمُوا وَسَيَعْلَمُ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا أَيَّ مُنقَلَبٍ يَنقَلِبُونَ» Translation: “And the poets are followed by the misguided. Do you not see that they tread aimlessly in every path (being immersed in their own poetic imaginations and similes and not bound by logic and reasoning?) Except the poets who are believers and do righteous deeds and remember Allah much (their poems remind people about Allah) and when they are oppressed (with this enthusiasm) they help themselves and other believers. And those who do wrong will know where they will return and what their fate will be.”
The Prophet of Islam (PBUH) also said: «إن من الشعر حکمة» Translation: “Indeed, in some poetry there is wisdom.”
Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Abbas (MABH) said: “If something from the Quran remains hidden from you, seek it in poetry, because poetry is the poetical works of the Arabs.”
Muslim poets supported the Islamic call, participated in wars and conquests, praised the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his companions, called people to jihad and martyrdom, and lamented the martyrs. Among the most prominent poets of early Islam, we can mention the following: “Ka’ab ibn Zuhair” (author of the ode “Burda”), “Abu Zu’ib al-Hazli” and “Hasan ibn Thabit”.
In the Umayyad era, the themes of poetry expanded, and new elements were added to it that were linked to Islamic beliefs. This development was due to the attention of the caliphs and rulers to poetry, the growth of social life, and the emergence of political parties. Poetry flourished during this period; Because the government needed it and was aware of its impact on the people, the Umayyads made poetry a tool to promote their virtues, strengthen their power, and silence opposition leaders, especially the Rawafizs, Khawarij, and Zubayris.
Among the most famous prominent poets of the Umayyad period are “A’ishi Rabi’ah Abdullah ibn Kharijah” who died around 100 AH / 718 AD and “Uday ibn al-Raqqa”, the poet of “Walid ibn Abdul Malik” who died in 95 AH / 714 AD. Also, among the powerful Iraqi poets of the Umayyad period who lived under the protection of the Umayyads were: “Jarir” who died in 110 AH / 728 AD, “Farzadaq” who died in 110 AH / 728 AD and “Akhtal” who died in 90 AH / 708 AD.
Among the poets of the parties opposing the Umayyad government, we can also mention the Rawafiz poets such as Abu al-Aswad al-Dawli (died 69 AH) and Kumayyat ibn Zayd (died 126 AH), and among the Kharijite poets, Tarmah ibn Hakim (died 100 AH), and from the Zubayrian party, Ibn Qays al-Ruqayyat (died 75 AH).
During this period, Ghazal (lyric) poetry also appeared in two forms: “Ghazal Azri” which was known for its simplicity, sincerity, and gravity, in which “Jamil Buthaina” (died 82 AH) and “Layla Akhiliyyah” (died 75 AH) were prominent, and “Ghazal Saqrih” for which Umar ibn Abi Rabi’ah (died 93 AH) was famous.
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