Pre-Islamic Literature vs. Quran

The heroic poetry of the pre-Islamic Arabian tribes is the earliest known form of Arabic literature. The qasidah, the standard Arabic verse form, evolved into a long poem telling of the poet’s or the poet’s tribe’s life. The poetry was recited and transmitted orally until Arab scholars collected and recorded verses in the late seventh century A.D. In a culture so highly grounded in tribal ties, tribesmen held poets in great esteem. Poets were supposed to praise their courageous and generous chief, while insulting a rival tribes’ chief.

In the “cubic,” ka’aba, temple in Mecca, there were several poems “hanged” on the walls after all

Imru’ul Qays was a prince, banished from the tribe by his father, the chief of the tribe, for his passionate devotion to love affairs. His banishment allowed him to escape the destruction that befell his tribe in a bitter tribal war. Mohammed declared Imru’ul Qays to be the greatest of the Arab poets. The second poet discussed, Antar, or Antarah, was made the hero of the most distinguished Arab romance writers. The son of a Negro slave and an Arab father, he still managed to be the chief poet and hero of his tribe.

In the Qur’an however, the horror of judgment day is emphasized through the used of description. The unbelievers “shall become like scattered moths and the mountains like tufts of carded wool.” This description was apparently used to scare the unbelievers into believing. The end is near, and there will be justice for all. It makes one realize that Allah is not going to leave the Jahiliyah without justice. “When the sky is rent asunder; when the stars scatter and the oceans roll together; when the graves are hurled about…” everybody will wish they had followed Allah.

In the Qur’an, much praise is used, but it is not used for the same purposes as those in the pre-Islamic poetry. Praise is given to Allah, and Allah alone. He is the only one worthy of such attention and honor. “Praise the Name of your Lord, the Most High, who has created all things and well proportioned them; who has ordained their destinies and guided them; who brings forth the green pasture, then turns it to withered grass.” He is praised for his genius, because he was able to create a universe so amazingly wonderful. He is praised for His wisdom in creating a path for each and every human he formed with His own hands. “Recite! Your Lord is the Most Bountiful One, who by the pen taught man what he did not know.” God has given man a brain, and created knowledge for man to acquire. He is wise and just, showing us what is right and wrong. “Is Allah not the best of judges?” the Qur’an asks. But the most prevalent of all ideas is that which emphasizes that “the face of your Lord will abide for ever, in all its majesty and glory.” The Lord is all-powerful, merciful, wise, and just. He

Some topics in this essay:
Qays’s Mu’allaqa, Imru’ul-Qays’s Mu’allaqa, Lord Bountiful, Hija’ Jahiliyah, Day Judgment, Antar Antarah, , Imru’ul Qays, Name Lord, Madh Karama, arabic literature, imru’ul qays, pre-islamic poetry, themes arabic literature, madh karama, rise islam, qays’s mu’allaqa, animals plants, ‘antara’s mu’allaqa, prevalent ideas, pre-islamic poetry praise, imru’ul qays’s mu’allaqa, poetry pre-islamic,