ARA 203 — Texts from Pre-Islamic and Early Islamic Literature: Lecture Note

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la-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS

la-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Course code: ARA 203 Course title: Texts from Pre-Islamic and Early Islamic Literature Course credit load: 2 Units Series 1: Poetry in Pre-Islamic and Early Islamic Literature Part 1.1 Historical background of pre-Islamic poetry • 1.1.1 Social and cultural context of pre-Islamic Arabia • 1.1.2 Functions of poetry in tribal life • 1.1.3 Oral tradition and preservation of poetry Part 1.2 Themes and styles of pre-Islamic poetry • 1.2.1 Major themes: heroism, tribal pride, desert life, love • 1.2.2 Stylistic features: imagery, rhythm, and structure • 1.2.3 Language and rhetorical devices Part 1.3 The Mu‘allaqāt and other famous poems • 1.3.1 Introduction to the Mu‘allaqāt (Suspended Odes) • 1.3.2 Analysis of one selected Mu‘allaqa poem • 1.3.3 Other notable pre-Islamic poets and their works Part 1.4 Poetry in the early Islamic era • 1.4.1 Transition from pre-Islamic to Islamic poetry • 1.4.2 Themes of early Islamic poetry: religious devotion, moral instruction, social change • 1.4.3 Analysis of one selected Islamic-era poem

la-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Introduction Poetry has always been a mirror of society, reflecting the values, struggles, and aspirations of its people. In pre-Islamic Arabia, poetry was not merely a form of artistic expression, it was the living record of tribal history, honour, and identity. With the coming of Islam, poetry continued to flourish, but its themes and purposes shifted to align with new religious and moral ideals. This Series introduces you to the richness of Arabic poetry across these two pivotal eras, helping you appreciate its role in shaping both literature and language. The aim of this Series is to equip you with the ability to analyse selected pre-Islamic and early Islamic poems, to identify their themes and stylistic features, and to evaluate their contribution to the development of Arabic literature and culture. We shall commence this Series by exploring the historical background of pre-Islamic poetry, focusing on its social and cultural context. Next, we will examine the themes and styles that characterised this poetry, including tribal pride, desert life, and love. Following that, we will study the Mu‘allaqāt and other famous poems, with close analysis of one selected ode. Finally, we will conclude by considering poetry in the early Islamic era, highlighting its transition in purpose and examining one representative poem from this period. Series Learning Outcomes Series 1: Poetry in Pre-Islamic and Early Islamic Literature Upon completing this Series, you should be able to: • SLO 1.1 describe the historical background of pre-Islamic poetry, including its social and cultural context. • SLO 1.2 explain the major themes and stylistic features of pre-Islamic poetry, such as tribal pride, desert life, and love. • SLO 1.3 analyse the Mu‘allaqāt and other famous pre-Islamic poems, demonstrating close reading of one selected ode.

la-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS • SLO 1.4 evaluate the transition into early Islamic poetry, identifying its new themes of religious devotion, moral instruction, and social change through the study of one representative poem. 1.1 Historical Background of Pre-Islamic Poetry Pre-Islamic poetry forms the earliest and most authentic record of Arab life before the rise of Islam. It reflects the values, struggles, and aspirations of the tribes, serving as both an artistic expression and a historical archive. This Part introduces you to the social and cultural environment in which poetry flourished, the functions it performed in tribal life, and the oral traditions that ensured its preservation. By understanding this background, you will be better prepared to appreciate the themes and styles that follow in later Parts. 1.1.1 Social and cultural context of pre-Islamic Arabia Pre-Islamic poetry, known as Jāhilī poetry, refers to verse composed in Arabia before the 7th century CE. The term Jāhilī means “ignorant”, but in literary studies it designates the pre-Islamic era. Poetry was the most significant cultural product of the Arabs, celebrated in marketplaces such as Sūq ‘Ukāẓ, and memorised by tribesmen. It was regarded as the highest form of eloquence, shaping identity and preserving collective memory. Fill in the blank: Pre-Islamic poetry is often referred to as ______ poetry.

la-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Figure 1.1 Poetry as a cultural record in pre-Islamic Arabia 1.1.2 Functions of poetry in tribal life Poetry functioned as the dīwān al-‘Arab, meaning “the register of the Arabs”. It was the medium through which tribes expressed pride, recorded victories, mourned losses, and celebrated heroes. The poet, or shā‘ir, held a prestigious position as the voice of the tribe. His verses could inspire warriors, defend honour, or satirise enemies. Poetry also preserved genealogies and tribal histories, making it both an artistic and historical record. Fill in the blank: The poet in pre-Islamic Arabia was called the ______. Function Role in Tribal Life Example / Explanation Preservation of History Recorded tribal lineage, battles, and migrations. Poetry acted as the “archive of the Arabs,” safeguarding collective memory.

la-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Expression of Honor & Pride Celebrated bravery, generosity, and noble deeds. Poets praised warriors and chiefs to elevate tribal prestige. Satire & Defamation Used to mock enemies and diminish rival tribes. A sharp poem could damage a tribe’s reputation more than weapons. Diplomacy & Mediation Helped resolve disputes or praise alliances. Poets acted as spokesmen, using verse to negotiate peace or loyalty. Entertainment & Aesthetic Value Recited at gatherings, markets, and festivals. Poetry was performed publicly, showcasing linguistic mastery. Spiritual & Emotional Expression Conveyed love, longing, grief, and existential reflection. Themes of desert life, fate, and mortality were common. Social Cohesion Unified the tribe under shared values and identity. Collective recitation reinforced solidarity and belonging. Box 1.1 Functions of poetry in pre-Islamic tribal life 1.1.3 Oral tradition and preservation of poetry Pre-Islamic poetry was transmitted orally, as writing was not widespread. The reliance on memory and recitation meant that poems were carefully structured with rhythm and rhyme to aid memorisation. Famous poems, such as the Mu‘allaqāt, were said to have been hung on the walls of the Ka‘ba in Mecca, symbolising their prestige. Oral transmission ensured that poetry remained central to Arab identity and was passed down faithfully across generations. Arabic example: ِلِزْنَمَو ٍبيِبَح ىَرْكِذ ْنِم ِكْبَن اَفِق (Qifā nabki min dhikrā ḥabībin wa-manzili) – “Stop, let us weep for the memory of a beloved and a dwelling.” This famous opening line from Imru’ al-Qays illustrates the oral tradition of beginning poems with vivid emotional appeals.

la-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Fill in the blank: The famous collection of pre-Islamic odes said to be hung in the Ka‘ba is called the ______. Plate 1.2 Oral recitation of poetry in pre-Islamic Arabia Pilot questions 1.1 1. What does the term Jāhilī poetry mean? 2. What was the role of poetry in pre-Islamic tribal life? 3. What was the poet called in pre-Islamic Arabia? 4. How was poetry preserved and transmitted before Islam? 5. What is the name of the famous collection of odes said to be hung in the Ka‘ba? 1.2 Themes and Styles of Pre-Islamic Poetry Pre-Islamic poetry is renowned for its richness of content and artistry. It reflects the lived experiences of the Arabs, their environment, and their values. This Part introduces you to the major themes that shaped the poetry, the stylistic features that gave it form, and the language and rhetorical devices that made it memorable. By exploring these aspects, you will gain a clearer understanding of how poetry functioned as both a cultural record and a creative expression.

la-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS 1.2.1 Major themes: heroism, tribal pride, desert life, love The themes of pre-Islamic poetry were deeply rooted in tribal society. Heroism was celebrated through verses that praised warriors and their courage in battle. Tribal pride, known as fakhr, involved boasting about the achievements and honour of one’s tribe. The harsh realities of desert life were vividly described, with poets portraying both its beauty and its challenges. Finally, love, often expressed in the form of ghazal, conveyed longing and nostalgia for a beloved, usually introduced in the opening of the ode. Fill in the blank: The theme of boasting about tribal achievements in pre-Islamic poetry is called ______. Figure 1.2 Major themes of pre-Islamic poetry 1.2.2 Stylistic features: imagery, rhythm, and structure Pre-Islamic poetry was composed in the form of the qaṣīda, meaning ode. The qaṣīda followed a tripartite structure: the nasīb, a nostalgic prelude recalling a lost beloved; the raḥīl, a section

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