ARABIAN
LITERATURE
It is found in the Middle East
between the Persian Gulf and
the Red Sea.
Its boarders are Jordan, Iraq,
and Kuwait to the north,
Yemen to the south, and
Oman, the United Arab
Emirates (UAE) and Qatar to
Arabian Literature
It began to be known with the
collect of Quran in 17 Century
th
AD with the spread of the
Islamic faith into Asia, Africa
and Europe.
The Arabian language soon
became a major world
Pre-Islamic
The earliest known literature
emerged in northern Arabia
around 500 AD and took the
form of poetry.
The most celebrated poems of
the pre-Islamic period were
known as the Mu’allaqat
Qasidah. It consists of 70-80 pairs of
half-lines. Traditionally, they describe the
nomadic life, opening with a lament at an
abandoned camp for a lost love.
The second part praises the poet's
horse or camel and describes a journey,
with the hardships it entails.
The third section contains the main
theme of the poem, often praises the
poet's tribe and vilifying its enemies.
HISTORICAL
PERIOD
Arabic prose literature was
limited primarily to grammatical
treatise, commentaries on the
Koran, and compiling of stories
about Muhammad and his
companions .
Chief Poets: Al-Akhtal and Al-
Farazdaq
They favored poetic forms such
as love, wine songs and hunting
B. Abbasid Empire (750-1258)
Ibn al-Muqaffa - led to a new
refinement in Arabic prose
called Adab, often sprinkled
with poetry and utilizing Saj,
the style of KORAN.
Greatest Masters of Adab: Al
Jahiz and Al Hariri.
The Thousand and One Nights
(Arabian Nights) - drew upon
the recitations of wandering
storytellers called rawis.
Abu Nuwas was acknowledged
as the foremost among the
new poets who used the
Arabic language with greater
freedom and imagination.
An experimental tradition now
vied with classical traditions: Al-
Ma’arri and Al-Mutanabi.
In Spain an independent poetic
tradition culminated in the
exquisite lyrics of Ibn Zaydun and
Ibn Quzman.
The Romance of Antar, closest
work to an epic in Arabic , was
also written about this time.
C. Modern Period
During the centuries of Ottoman Turkish
domination, Arabic literature fall into
decline. Not until the mid-19th century
was it revived by its intellectual
movement known as Nahda which
originated in Syria and spread to Egypt.
From being imitative to Europeans,
Modern Arabic literature, both prose and
poetry, has gradually freed itself from
Arabic Prose
Saj or “rhymed prose” is most striking
characteristics feature of the Arabic prose.
The Khutbah or “formal written in rhymed
prose style” is of great antiquity. Turned out
to be religious verses in the earliest time of
Islam.
Most famous : Ibn Nubatah at-Farigi.
The most celebrated work of Ibn Muqaffa,
“Klila wa Dimna” is translation from a Pahlavi
version of the Indian fable, Panchatantra.
D. Golden
Saj or
Age
“rhymed prose” is most striking
characteristics feature of the Arabic prose.
The Khutbah or “formal written in rhymed
prose style” is of great antiquity. Turned out
to be religious verses in the earliest time of
Islam.
Most famous : Ibn Nubatah at-Farigi.
The most celebrated work of Ibn Muqaffa,
“Klila wa Dimna” is translation from a Pahlavi
version of the Indian fable, Panchatantra.
