Pockets of poetry from poets of the ages
The different Eras of poetry in the Arab world
Pre-Islamic Era (عصر الجاهلي) [5th–7th Century CE]
The Pre-Islamic Era, which translates literally to Jahiliyyah (the Age of Ignorance), marks the time before the advent of Islam, aptly named in its English counterpart. As the first of the eras in Arabic literature, it’s impossible to set an exact date for its beginning due to the lack of organization and documentation during the "Age of Ignorance" (also aptly named). It is believed to span from the 5th to the 7th century CE, the two centuries leading up to the spread of Islam. Poetry was the popular form of literature, as most Arabs were understandably illiterate.
Poetry was recited orally and later memorized by enthusiasts, highlighting their remarkable ability to memorize. Another reason for the widespread popularity of poetry is its focus on imagination and emotion, rather than the logic of prose, since imagination has always existed before logic. This period saw some of the most famous poets who have withstood the test of time, such as Antarah ibn Shaddad, Al-Khansa, and Imru’ al-Qais. The Mu'allaqat, the "seven hanging poems," come from this era and were some of the most famous works written in Arab history. They were called Mu'allaqat because they were hung on the Kaaba to be admired, often compared to hanging necklaces that stick to the mind and adorn the holy house. Some verses from this era include:
Antarah ibn Shaddad
And choose for yourself a home where you can rise, or die honorably under the dust-covered shade.
He who bears high ranks does not hold a grudge, and he, whose nature is anger, will not attain stature.
Al-Khansa
O my eyes be generous and do not dry out. Why do you not cry for Sakhr. Why do you not cry for the bold and the brave. Why do you not cry for the youthful master.
Islamic Era (العصر الإسلامي) [7th–10th Century CE]
Following the Pre-Islamic era, it is only natural for the next period of time to be the Islamic Era. This era, in comparison to others, saw a decline in the status of poetry and poets, partly due to the spread of Islam and the miraculous nature of the Holy Quran. The Quran’s eloquence was unparalleled and, in short, no one could match it. The Quran was a religious book that spread the message of Islam, and just as any miracle performed by prophets, the Quran has not been matched in both prose and poetic form. This diminished the importance of poetry. However, poetry was still written, and much of it mirrored the religious atmosphere of the time. As such, some famous poetry came from religious figures such as Ali ibn Abi Talib and Fatima Al-Zahraa. Notable verses from this time include:
Ali ibn Abi Talib
Never explain yourself to anyone, because the one who likes you would not need it, and the one dislikes you wouldn’t believe it.
Silence that covers you with honour is better than speech that earns you regret
…and good might come you way from where you least expect it.
Umayyad Era (العصر الأموي) [661–750 CE]
The Umayyad Era saw a significant peak in poetic production, partly due to the emergence of poetry as a paid profession. This short period, following the Islamic era and preceding the Islamic Golden Age, spanned from 661 to 750 CE and reinstated pre-Islamic poetic traditions while reflecting the Islamic atmosphere of the time. The Mu'allaqat, as mentioned earlier, played a significant role in preserving and documenting Pre-Islamic poetry. When combined with the new status of poetry as a paid profession in the Umayyad era, this resulted in some of the most beautiful poetry. Notable poets from this era include Al-Farazdaq, Jarir, and Imru' al-Qais. Universal themes of love, honor, and wisdom continued, but this era also saw a rise in the "wine poetry" genre.
Majnun Layla
I pass the walls of the house of Layla Sometimes
I kiss this wall, sometimes I kiss that one
It is not the love of these walls that has infatuated my heart
But the love of who lives within them
Al-Farazdaq
And the gray hair rises in the darkness as if it were a night crying out with daylight on its sides.
Abbasid Era (العصر العباسي) [750–1258 CE]
In contrast to the Islamic era, the Abbasid Era saw a flourishing rise in poetry. So significant was this rise that unlike the overlap of other eras, the Abbasid era is distinguished from any other. Many of the most well-known poets come from this period. Named after the Abbasid Caliphate (Al-Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib), this era lasted roughly from 750 AD to 1258 AD. Economic prosperity naturally led to academic advancements, which marked the Golden Age of Islam, and poetry was no exception. Poets from this time include Al-Rumi, Al-Mutanabbi, Abu Nuwas, Abu al-Ahtwai, and Abu Firas al-Hamdani, among others. The Caliphate’s focus on wisdom rather than the conquest of previous predecessors contributed to some of the greatest verses in poetic history.
Al Mutanabbi
Settle for nothing but the stars,
If you venture for a noble aim.
Whether a great or a trifling death,
The bitter cup tastes the same.
Do not think that my dancing among you is for joy, for the bird dances while it is slaughtered from the intensity of the pain.
If you see the fangs of a lion protruding,
Fancy not that the lion is smiling
I am the one whose literature is seen by the blind
And whose words are heard by the deaf.
Al-Ma'arri
When I saw ignorance spreading among people, I ignored it until it was said that I was ignorant.
Oh, how many a deficient person claims to be superior, and how many a virtuous person appears to be deficient.
Ayyubid Era (العصر الأيوبي) [12th–13th Century CE]
If you’ve ever seen Kingdom of Heaven or come across clips including the historical encounter between the Leper King and Salah al-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub, otherwise known as Saladin, then you are already familiar with the Ayyubid Dynasty. Spanning from the mid-12th century to the mid-13th century, and named after Sultan Saladin (whose military efforts restored Jerusalem and resulted in the expulsion of Crusaders), the Ayyubid era was marked by military heroism. Such feats were not lost on the scholars of the time, and poets were keen on themes of heroism, military campaigns, and battle. Poets from this time include Ibn al-Farid and Ibn Qudamah.
Ibn al-Farid
I hide my love, but my tears reveal it. I will kill it, but my youth revives it. My tormentor is sweet in nature, he who posses all the virtues.
You have tired yourself in advising someone who sees neither success nor prosperity in sight
Andalusian Era (العصر الأندلسي) [711–1492 CE]
A reader of mine once enlightened me that 8% of the Spanish language contains words of Arabic origin—about 4,000 words in total. This was no accident, but rather the result of the Andalusian Era. This period lasted almost 800 years, from 711 to 1492, in the Iberian Peninsula, which was under Islamic rule. Arabic poetry fused with the local culture, and both Arabic and Spanish literature benefited from one another. Arabic poetry adopted the romanticism found in Spanish literature, while Spanish literature embraced various themes from Arabic works. Arts were widely popular, and many great Andalusian poets emerged during this time, such as Ibn al-Khatib, Ibn Arabi, and Ibn Zaydun.
Ibn Arabi
Time is fluid space, space is frozen in time
The ignorant one does not see his ignorance as he basks in its darkness; nor does the knowledgeable one see his own knowledge, for he basks in its light.
Ibn al-Khatib
Sometimes the people with the worst past create the best future.
The best way to defeat someone is to beat him at politeness
Mamluk Era (العصر المملوكي) [1250–1517 CE]
Once the conquerors, and now the conquered, the Mamluk Era marked the beginning of a decline in Arabic poetry. From 1250 AD to 1517 AD, this period saw poets focused more on income than wisdom, which was reflected in what could be considered embellished, yet less meaningful, poetry. Some poets enjoyed experimentation, as evidenced by the construction of poems that could be read from right to left, left to right, and vice versa. However, wisdom still existed in some works, and poets like Safi al-Din al-Hilli and Abu al-Hussein Ibn al-Jazzar managed to leave a mark in the world of poetry.
Safi al-Din al-Hilli
I never thought that the union would be denied,
And that your promise is lightning without rain
If you do good, their evil will be doubled,
every container spills what it contains.
Ottoman Era (العصر العثماني) [1517–1918 CE]
Would it really be proper to mention conquering without discussing the Ottoman Empire’s rule over Arab countries from 1517 to 1918? As with the Mamluk era, this period did not see a singular rise from the decline of previous conquests, but rather a rise and fall throughout the Ottoman reign. Turkish and Persian influences intertwined with Arabic, making their way into poetry. Some Turkish expressions and stylistic elements found their way into Arabic poetry, which was seen as a strength by some writers and a weakness by others. Writers of this time include Abdullah Al-Shabrawi, Jamil Sidqi al-Zuhawi and Ibn Alawi al-Haddad.
Jamil Sidqi al-Zuhawi
All that life seeks from us is not to encounter calamities; and when misfortunes befalls it, if persistent, it does not prolong the complains from it.
Abdullah Al-Shabrawi
I am a lover as I have known, but your love is something strange; when, O beautiful face, will I see your satisfaction and this anger go away
Modern Era (العصر الحديث) [1798–Present]
The last link in the chain of Arabic poetry is what we call the Modern Era. Regardless of how historians define "modern" for literature, music, or other forms of art, in Modern Arabic Poetry, this era begins in 1798 AD, the same year Napoleon Bonaparte entered Egypt. Napoleon's military campaign essentially prompted a renaissance, awakening the Arab people in various fields, especially poetry. What distinguishes this era is the break away from the traditional forms of classical Arabic poetry to the more flexible form of free verse. From the Syrian poet Adonis, to Lebanese Khalil Gibran, Palestinian Mahmoud Darwish, Egyptian Ahmed Shawqi, and Iraqi Nazik al-Malaika, many poets left their mark on the world of modern poetry. Here are some of their notable verses.
Nazik al-Malaika
The night asks, "Who am I?"
I am its deep, dark, anxious secret.
I am its rebellious silence
I wrapped my heart with suspicions.
I accepted my being in stillness.
And I stayed, absent-minded, here.
I gaze, and the centuries ask me,
Who am I?
Mahmoud Darwish
Read to be, write to find
Nothing is harder on the soul than the smell of dreams while they’re evaporating.
the beautiful ones are the poor ones, like the roses in the battle field.
Al-Jawahiri
I have a mountain of sorrow,
It walks with me and moves along.
I have, and though hope may fade,
A spark in my heart still burns strong.
Indeed, the mind, a fierce hero,
Fighting forever, endlessly in tow.
An inspired leader, with no one to follow,
The flag of victory, in vain, is hollow.
شكرا جزيلا على هذا الدليل الموجز.
This is a brilliant summary!