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Old Wednesday, June 20, 2012
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Q: Discuss salient features of pre Islamic poetry with special reference to the literary importance of Al-Muallaqat.
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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 poets 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.”

Salient features:
Pre-Islamic poetry is the master piece of pre-Islamic literature. Al-Muallaqat is the work (poetic) compiled by “Hammad Al- Rawya.” This poetry 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.
Pre-Islamic poetry has many salient features. Some of them are as under:
1-Weeping:
There were great stories of love and courtship in pre-Islamic era. The poets were very keen in describing there loves. Sometimes they used to weep at the remembrance of separation of their beloveds and they began to weep bitterly. As Imra ul Qais said:
“Qifa nbki…………………fahoumal”

2-Wisdom:
Pre-Islamic poetry yields the quality of wisdom. There are many sayings of wisdom in pre-Islamic poetry. Zuhair bin Abi Salma can be refered in this regard. As he said:
“Wa man yaja’lil maroof…………….wa yandim”

3-Depiction of Nature:
Nature depiction is also the quality of pre-Islamic literature. The poets were in habit of depicting natural scenes. They depicted these scenes so artfully that a man could visualize the original thing that was depicted by the poet. As Imra ul Qais said:
“Wa qadi ghtadi………….min ale”

4-Romance:
Romance was a very important feature of pre-Islamic poetry. The poets were usually stuck by the fire of love and sexual disharmonies. So they used to describe these features in poetry. As Imra ul Qais said:
“Iza qamata………..alqaranful”

5-Great Observation:
Pre-Islamic poetry also consisted with great, true and keen observations. The poets were very keen observers and their descriptions were true and based on reality. As Labeed said:
“Ara-l-aisha……………yanfade”

6-Bravery:
Events of bravery were in great abundance in pre-Islamic era. The poets as well as other people used to consider life just a game and their wistful desires were only to win the game. As Antar Bin Shadad said:
“Fashakaktu……………bimuharram”

7-Pride:
Pride is also one of the prominent salient features of pre-Islamic poetry. The poets used to relate their events of bravery to enhance their sense of dignity. Umar bin Kulsoom was famous in this art. As he said:
“Ala la yajhalan………….aljahileena”

8-Eulogy:
Pre-Islamic poetry is remarkable for its depiction of Eulogy. The poets were in habit of praising kings. As Labeed bin Rabee composed a verse in the praise of Allah:
“Alaa kulla sha’een ma khla allah -----batloon wa kullu na’eemin la mahalata zaa’elu”.

Conclusion:
Pre-Islamic poetry was simple. It was void and empty from any philosophical thoughts. The poets were in habit of using simple lines to express their views. And the most important thing of pre-Islamic poetry is that it was composed and extracted from the atmosphere.
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