Altaf Hussain Hali: The Pioneer of Reformist Poetry in Urdu Literature

Abstract

This study examines the critical methodology of Qudāmah ibn Ja‘far and its impact on Arabic literary criticism. It highlights his significant role in transforming Arabic criticism from a subjective, taste-based practice into a more structured and analytical discipline grounded in rational principles. Qudāmah ibn Ja‘far is among the earliest Arab critics who attempted to systematize literary evaluation by defining poetry and identifying its essential components, such as diction, meaning, structure, and musical rhythm.

The research shows that his critical approach was strongly influenced by logical and philosophical traditions, which led him to adopt methods of classification, analysis, and comparison in evaluating poetic texts. At the same time, he did not completely disregard the aesthetic and stylistic dimensions of Arabic literary heritage, but rather sought to balance rational analysis with literary taste.

Furthermore, his applied criticism demonstrates a consistent effort to deconstruct poetic texts into their constituent elements and assess their artistic value based on objective criteria. This methodological shift contributed to the development of a more disciplined approach to literary criticism in Arabic tradition.

In conclusion, Qudāmah ibn Ja‘far occupies an important position in the history of Arabic criticism as a transitional figure who bridged traditional taste-based criticism and emerging rational-critical methodologies, thereby laying early foundations for a more scientific approach to literary analysis.