Salient Feature of Pre Islamic Poetry with Special Reference to “Muallaqat”
Introduction:
Pre Islamic era, known as “Dour-e-Jahlia” in other words it is the era of highly brilliant activities in poetic field. Many a notable can be traced back to that era. The poet enjoyed an unmatchable fame and respect in this era. As depicted by F I Malik in his book “Muqalat”’
“Whenever a poet used to emerge on the scene in any tribe, the people considered it the blessing of Allah Almighty. As he was the defender and leader of the tribe in all the circumstances to come.”
There are two main ways through which we can have an idea about the pre Islamic poetry:
1- The poetry in written form i.e. Muallaqat.
2- The poetry which was passed from generation to the other and finally was brought to written form.
Muallaqat:
Al-Muallaqat is the work (poetic) compiled by “Hammad Al- Rawya or Hammad- the Rhapsodist.” This poet work is consisted of Qasaids long poems of the poet of pre Islamic era. These are known as “Muallaqat” as it indicates these qasaids were hanged on the wall of Ka’abah. This point towards the customs of Arabs who used to hang the important documents wit the wall of Ka’abah. This goes with the historical evidence too. These Qasaids were declared, best of the lot, of the contemporary poetic work and these were hanged with the wall of Ka’abah to appreciate the poet. Many scholars objected this very fact but historical events e.g. hanging of document of boycott of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and hanging of Sorah Kosar by Hazrat Abdullah (R.A) are enough to prove this claim. Secondly, these qasaids, collectively are called “Muzhabat” which mean that these were written in gold.
Al-Nahas in his treatise writes “the true matter of the fact is that Hammad-The Rhapsodist saw how little the people cared about the Pre Islamic poetry, he collected all the poems and asked people to read them and respect them. This goes with all the other information as singing poetic work was the profession of Hammad. He had a very good grip of Arabic literature so it was instrument set for him to do this important task.
Poets:
Hammad collected the work of these seven poets:
1- Amra ul Qais
2- ZAuhair bin abi Salma
3- Labid bin Abi Rabia
4- Tarfa al Abad
5- Haris bin Halza
6- Umro bin Kalsoom
7- Antra Absi

Abu Zaid Qureshi along with some other scholars has mentioned the name of:
1- Aashi
2- Nabigah Zaibani
3- Umro bil Al Bars
In this context.

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