Poetry
/ˈpəʊɪtri/ noun.
literary work in which the expression of feelings and ideas is given intensity by the use of distinctive style and rhythm; poems collectively or as a genre of literature.
a quality of beauty and intensity of emotion regarded as characteristic of poems.
something regarded as poetry in its beauty.
Today is World Poetry Day.
Poetry has been an integral part of Arab culture for centuries and this can be seen in the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ's love for poems. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ enjoyed poetry that praised Allah or recalled the Hereafter. Some famous poets include:
Hasan ibn Thaabit (RA)
Ka'ab ibn Maalik (RA)
Abdullah ibn Rawaaha (RA)
Hasan Ibn Thaabit (RA)
- Arabian Poet
- Sahabah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
- Born in Madina
- Tribe : Banu Khazraj
- His poems were in defense of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
- Islam's first religious poet
- Muhammad ﷺ was so happy with Hassan Ibn Thabit (RA) that he ordered to establish and construct for him a minbar (pulpit) for him to stand upon when he delivered his poetry.
- Hassan ibn Thaabit (RA) lived for 120 years, sixty years before converting to Islam and another sixty thereafter.
Ka'ab Ibn Maalik (RA)
Before Ka'b ibn Malik converted to Islam he was considered to be one of the greatest poets in Madina. He created storms with his tongue in the battles between the Aws and Khazraj. He received a good education; he knew about accounting and knew how to read and write. However, his silver words turned into gold when he learned the Quran.
Abdullah Ibn Rawaaha (RA)
- Tribe : Banu Khazraj
- Martyred in the Battle of Mut'ah
- Scribe and Poet
- He was one of the 12 representatives of the Ansar who took an oath of allegiance before the Hijrah, and later spread Islam to Madina. Also, he was among the 73 that pledged allegiance to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in Madina.
Poems of Hasan Ibn Thaabit (RA)
1
And more excellent than you, my eye has never seen,
And more beautiful than you, no woman ever gave birth to;
You were created free from any flaw whatsoever,
As though you were created just the way you wanted.
2
The morning light is by your countenance,
and the splendour of the night by your plaits.
The master is a treasure of grace, a treasure of mercy, and he is the guide of the entire nation, with the sacred law.
On the command of your finger; trees walked, stones spoke, and the moon split into two upon a single gesture of your finger.
On the Night of the Ascension, Gabriel came with tidings of the Lord, who called him to the heavens, [and] bestowed upon him the honour of intimacy.
Verily, Muhammad is our liege, And this blessed name will preserve our dignity
3
And (the truth is that) by my poetical compositions I could not praise Muhammad.
Rather my poetical compositions have become praiseworthy due to its contents being blessed with the sacred mention of Muhammad.
Poems of Abdullah Ibn Rawaaha (RA)
1
O the good descendants of Al-Hashim
Allah raised you to a high station
Of which you are worthy above all mankind.
My intuition made me realise at once
Your excelling nature,
Contrary to the disbelievers belief in you.
If you asked some of them for support and help,
They would turn you down.
May Allah establish the good that descends
On you firmly
And bestow victory upon you as He did to Musa.
2
Oh God, were it not for you,
We would not have been guided.
Nor would we have given charity,
Nor prayed
So, bestow on us calmness...
I will end this post with a hadith of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ:
وَ إِنَّ مِنَ الشِّعْرِ لَحِکْمَةً وَاِنَّ مِنَ الْبَیَانِ لَسِحْرًا
"Indeed, in poetry there is wisdom and in eloquence there is magic."
Wassalam,
P.S. Recommended video - I came to You, my Lord by Mansur Al Salimi