Overview of Arabic poetry and its role in Islamic culture

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive overview of Arabic poetry and its significant role in shaping Islamic culture across different historical periods. It highlights how Arabic poetry, originally regarded as the “diwan of the Arabs,” functioned as a primary medium for preserving history, expressing social values, and reflecting the intellectual life of Arab society before Islam. With the advent of Islam, poetry underwent a process of refinement and redirection, aligning itself with ethical and spiritual principles, and becoming a powerful tool for defending the faith and promoting Islamic values, as exemplified by poets such as Hassan ibn Thabit and Ka'b ibn Zuhayr. The study further explores the thematic diversity of Arabic poetry within the Islamic framework, including praise (madīḥ), satire (hijā’), elegy (rithā’), wisdom (ḥikmah), asceticism (zuhd), and Sufi poetry, all of which contributed to moral and spiritual development. It also examines the flourishing of poetry in Al-Andalus, where artistic innovation and aesthetic refinement reached new heights, particularly in the works of Ibn Zaydun. In the modern era, Arabic poetry experienced significant transformations in both form and content, incorporating new styles such as free verse while continuing to address contemporary social, political, and cultural issues. Poets like Ahmed Shawqi and Mahmoud Darwish exemplify this blend of tradition and modernity.

The article concludes that Arabic poetry has played a vital role in constructing Islamic cultural identity by preserving heritage, promoting ethical values, and influencing collective consciousness. It remains a dynamic and enduring form of expression that bridges artistic beauty with meaningful cultural and religious messages.