Analysis and Criticism of Modernism in the Light of Islam (Part 12)

Author: Mohajer Azizi

Analysis and Criticism of Modernism in the Light of Islam (Part 12)

Progress and Achievements of Muslims in the Field of Culture and Architecture

1. Poetry and Literature

Muslims found a brilliant and unique place in the field of poetry and literature. Although poetry and literature were popular among nations before Islam; but Muslims, by taking advantage of the teachings of revelation, gave it order, coherence and a sublime content and purified it from the intellectual and moral pollution of the past.

In the era of the Prophet, the individual and social level of Muslims reached the highest human, moral and literary levels. Prose and poetry reached the peak of their flourishing and lofty and profound meanings replaced the previous superficial themes. The poetry and literature of this period took on the color and flavor of Islamic belief, worship and teachings; while previously, poems were often devoid of these meanings and poets freely praised tribal prejudices, described women and glorified ethnic groups; But Muslim poets, with new ideas, turned to praising Allah Almighty, praising the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family), and praising the beauties of Islam.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did not compose poetry himself; but he loved listening to good poetry and encouraged his companions to compose poetry and reminded them of its importance. As it is narrated from Al-Bara’ (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said to Hassan bin Thabit (may Allah be pleased with him): “The Allah Almighty is with you as long as you mock the polytheists.” [1]

Among them, Ka’ab bin Zuhair – one of the famous poets – came to the Prophet and composed a ode in praise of the Holy Prophet. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) gave him the cloak he was wearing as a gift. This robe reached the caliphs after the Prophet’s death, and Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan eventually purchased it for twenty thousand dirhams. [2]

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) listened carefully to the poems of poets and whenever he found any objectionable meaning in them, he would correct them. Poets committed to Islamic values were encouraged by him; therefore, Islam not only does not oppose poetry, but also approves and supports it, provided it is in harmony with Islamic concepts and teachings.

Poets of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)

The Prophet of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) had prominent poets who defended Islam and Muslims by composing beautiful and meaningful poems. The names of these poets are:

1. Hassan ibn Thabit (may Allah be pleased with him);

2. Ka’ab ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him);

3. Abdullah bin Rawaha (may Allah be pleased with him);

4. Ka’ab bin Zuhair (may Allah be pleased with him);

5. Abdullah bin Zobari (may Allah be pleased with him);

6. Abu Sufyan bin Harith (may Allah be pleased with him);

7. Bujayr bin Zuhair bin Abi Solmi (may Allah be pleased with him);

8. Khansa’ (may Allah be pleased with him);

9. Jarul bin Aws (may Allah be pleased with him);

10. Labid bin Rabi’ah (may Allah be pleased with him);

11. Kathir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) and others.

Poetry and Literature in the Era of the Rightly Guided Caliphs

Poetry and literature enjoyed a special flourishing during the caliphate of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him). He himself was one of the renowned poets and writers of the time; he would compose poetry and deliver eloquent and beautiful sermons. Historians and writers have mentioned the tremendous impact of his words on hearts.

Hazrat Umar Farooq (may Allah be pleased with him) was also considered one of the great literary figures. He had an unparalleled skill, especially in prose, and his words were adorned with eloquent and attractive expression. In addition, he was also capable of composing poetry, and his poetic pieces have been quoted in literary sources.

Hazrat Uthman Zul-Nurain (may Allah be pleased with him) was a literary figure like other previous caliphs. He had outstanding ability in both the fields of poetry and prose, and he was among the writers of revelation. Whenever a revelation was revealed, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would tell him: “Write,” and he would record the words of revelation with a beautiful and firm pen.

One of the most prominent writers of early Islam was Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). He left behind valuable works in the form of prose and wise poems. He described the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) with an expression full of eloquence, and his words were so gentle and soulful that they captivated hearts and ears.

Poetry and Literature in the Umayyad Era

During the Umayyad Caliphate, poetry and literature achieved a new flourishing and prosperity. New styles emerged in poetry and prose, and the special support of the Umayyad Caliphs played an important role in this progress. They honored poets and writers, gave them stipends and prizes, and even allocated special places for their literary meetings.

Among the prominent figures of this period, we can mention Farzadaq, Abu al-Aswad al-Dawli, Omar ibn Abi Rabi’ah, Uday ibn Ruqa’ and others. Some of these poets, such as Farzadaq, Jarir, and Akhtal, mostly wrote poems in praise of the Umayyad caliphs and rulers, while others spoke in opposition to them.

Poetry and Literature in the Abbasid Caliphate

The Abbasid Caliphate can be considered one of the most brilliant periods of the flourishing of poetry and literature. During this period, literature progressed significantly, and poets, taking advantage of the fruitful Abbasid civilization, created new styles and methods in meanings, themes, imagery, and other poetic styles.

During this period, a kind of transformation and literary revolution took place in the themes, meanings, words, and poetic styles. New themes emerged in poetry that had no precedent before, and some old themes also changed their nature; for example, political, epic, and Ghazal poetry began to weaken to some extent, while praise and lamentation flourished. Also, branches such as jurisprudential, ascetic, philosophical, didactic, and story poetry emerged. Later poets sometimes went to extremes in the use of creative arts such as puns, Tabaq, and other devices.

Important factors in the development of poetry during this period include the expansion of scientific and cultural communities, the transfer of cultures through translation, political and religious differences, and the support and encouragement of poets, writers, and translators by the caliphs and emirs. [3]

Among the prominent poets of the Abbasid era, we can mention Uday ibn Ruqa’, Ibn al-Rumī, Abu Nuwas, and Abu al-Tayyib al-Mutanabbi. During this same period, Andalusian poets invented a new poetic form called «موشحات» “Mushahāt,” which grew rapidly and gave rise to special artistic expressions.

In appreciation of poets, the caliphs and emirs gave large sums of money as prizes and gifts. Walid ibn Yazid was one of the first to set a reward of one thousand dirhams for each verse of poetry, and others followed suit. The Abbasids increased this figure and even paid a reward of one hundred thousand dirhams for a single ode. The first poet to receive such an award was Marwan ibn Abi Hafsa, who composed an ode in praise of the Abbasid Mahdi. [4]

The Islamic caliphs knew well that the holy religion of Islam values any art that is purposeful and beneficial to society. Therefore, every Muslim leader, for his part, respected artists, especially committed poets, and they had learned this tradition from the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) praised poets who reflected the concepts of faith and morality; as when Ka’ab ibn Zuhair, a famous Arab poet, came to the Prophet and composed an ode in praise of him, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) gave him the robe he was wearing as a gift. This robe came into the hands of the caliphs after the Prophet’s death, and Mu’awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan bought it for twenty thousand dirhams. [5]

2. Islamic Painting

Muslims have made remarkable achievements and advances in the field of painting. Allamah al-Maqrizi, a prominent scholar and historian, says about Muslim painters: “In the 15^th century, the Fatimid library had hundreds of books decorated with paintings, including Qurans decorated and illustrated by Muslim artists.” [6]

Islamic decoration and painting gradually acquired their own characteristics and played an important role in displaying the face of Islamic civilization. At the height of its flourishing, this art enjoyed a special richness, both in design and execution and in subjects and methods. Muslim artists, using eye-catching decorative lines, created works that were full of variety, rhythmic repetition, intertwining, and innovation. Inspired by Islamic geometry, they invented star-shaped polygonal shapes, leafy designs (Tawriq), and motifs known as “Arabesque.” This style, which took shape especially in the Al-Azhar Mosque in the fourth century AH (tenth century AD), has remained popular and used in many Islamic countries and even beyond. [7]

Continues…

Previous Part/ Next Part

References:

1. Sahih Ibn Habban, Vol. 16, p. 96.
2. Ibn Abd Rabbih al-Andalusi, Al-Aqd al-Farid, Vol. 2, p. 31; Islamic Civilization, p. 142.
3. Islamic Civilization, p. 147.
4. Jurji Zaydan, History of Islamic Civilization, p. 993.
5. Ibid, p. 993.
6. The Story of Civilization, p. 679.
7. Islamic Scientific Heritage, p. 144.