A THEMATIC AND STYLISTIC STUDY OF ARABIC ZUHD POEMS OF ‘ALI B. HUSAYN
F.O. Jamiu
Department of Religious Studies
Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State
email : fatja_miu @ yahoo. Com
ABSTRACT
The aim of this paper is to explain the thematic and stylistic elements of Arabic Zuhd poems of ‘Ali b. Husayn. In order to enhance the accomplishment of our goal, the paper starts with introduction, gives biographical accounts of the poet, traces the origin of Zuhd and discusses it as a theme of Arabic poetry. The paper is based mainly on data and information collected from various scholars. Other materials were also obtained from private libraries to form the data base. In order to fully comprehend the ideas of Ali b. Husayn on his various topics, the content and literary analysis of some extracts from corpus of his poetic works at our disposal were carried out. The study revealed that the poems were composed either as responses to societal situation or answer to question put across to him. Some other poems have been composed to express his intellectual frame of mind. Some ideas expressed in most of his poetic work are original to him. The structure of his poems shows that he attempted to maintain the pattern of classical Arabic poetry. Apart from being immense benefits to categories of students who may wish to have a concise but encompassing knowledge of Arabic language, the study also provides useful information to researchers about the level of literacy and creativity of Husayn on which further studies can be focused. The poems therein could serve as a source of inspiration to contemporary students and scholars who may be motivated by the challenges posed by Husayn to employ poetic form as a medium of disseminating ideas, thoughts and information. The translation of his poems into English would afford those who are not Arabists the opportunity of appreciating the views of Husayn. Afterwards, certain recommendations are made which include that this kind of poem should be read for a self-reflection or assessment so that one would amend from time to time. It is crystal clear that with the memorisation of this poem, people would constantly recognise that life of this world is ephemeral and transient in nature. The teachings of the poem should be rendered in other languages so that people benefit from it maximally. The message of this poem could be utilized for curbing nefarious activities in the institutions of higher learning.