Abu Nuwas
Abu Nuwas was an Abbasid poet of Persian descent, known for his indulgent lifestyle and his love for wine and taverns. His poetry is rich with reflections on various aspects of his life, showcasing his thoughts and beliefs. However, some historians assert that he repented before his death.
Early Life
Abu Nuwas, whose full name was Hassan ibn Hani al-Hakami, was born in 763 CE in Ahvaz, Khuzestan. He spent a significant part of his life in Basra. His father was a soldier in the army of Marwan ibn Muhammad al-Umawi. After the fall of Marwan’s dynasty, his father moved to Iraq, ultimately seeking refuge in a village in Ahvaz, where Abu Nuwas was born. His grandfather served as a loyalist to Jarrah ibn Abdullah al-Hakami, who was at that time the governor of Khurasan, thus linking the poet to significant political legacies.
When Abu Nuwas was only six years old, he lost his father. Consequently, his mother sent him to work with a perfumer. Despite this, he frequently attended gatherings focused on knowledge and poetry. The perfumer himself took on the responsibility of raising him, encouraging Abu Nuwas to memorize the Quran and study poetry to develop his talent. Fate led him to meet the poet Walbah ibn al-Hubab, with whom he traveled to Kufa. Walbah took it upon himself to teach Abu Nuwas the craft of poetry, and they frequented scholarly and literary gatherings, immersing themselves in ancient poetry, interpretations, and literary criticism.
His Life
After gaining sufficient experience in Kufa, Abu Nuwas moved to Basra to seek the guidance of Khalaf al-Ahmar, who encouraged him to memorize numerous poems and odes, only to forget them later to make room for new works. After mastering the art of retaining and forgetting, he became proficient in composing poetry. He then journeyed to Baghdad, where he connected with Caliph Harun al-Rashid, praising him for his religious virtues and accomplishments. However, upon extending his praise to the Barmakids, Harun grew upset, prompting Abu Nuwas to flee to Egypt, where he lauded the ruling governor, Al-Khaseeb ibn Abd al-Hamid al-Ajami.
Following Harun al-Rashid’s death, Abu Nuwas returned to Baghdad. There, Al-Amin, a long-time friend, ascended to the caliphate and welcomed Abu Nuwas. However, Al-Amin’s adversaries criticized his association with a poet of questionable reputation, leading to Abu Nuwas’s imprisonment. Despite his minister’s efforts to secure his release, it took numerous attempts before Abu Nuwas was freed. Upon Al-Amin’s death, the poet mourned him with heartfelt poetry that expressed the depth of his emotions.
Repentance and Death
Abu Nuwas is widely recognized for a life of revelry and indulgence; this was particularly evident in his poetry, where a considerable portion celebrated wine. His infatuation with a beautiful woman named Janan also inspired many of his verses. Nevertheless, historians widely believe that he repented in his later years, a fact that became apparent in his poetry. Notably, a poem was found beneath his pillow at the time of his death, in which he expresses:
O Lord, if my sins are numerous,
Then surely Your forgiveness is greater.
If only the good are called upon,
Then who could a criminal like me call upon?
I call upon You, O Lord, as commanded, pleading;
So if You turn my hands away, who will have mercy?
I have no means to reach You except hope
And Your bounteous forgiveness, and I am a Muslim.
The circumstances surrounding his death are disputed; some claim he died in prison, while others suggest he was poisoned in the house of Ismail ibn Noubakht, who sought to silence the poet’s sharp tongue.
Poetic Style
Abu Nuwas’s poetry encompasses a wide range of themes, including praise, satire, elegy, reproach, and romance. He gained particular recognition for his vivid descriptions of wine, earning him the title “the Wine Poet.” His work is characterized by its accessible language, eloquent expressions, smooth compositions, and fluid meanings, steering clear of archaic language and roughness. He is notable for introducing new imagery and vocabulary into Arabic poetry, especially in the portrayal of wine. It’s worth mentioning that he deviated from conventional poetic traditions, rejecting artificial constructs and elaborate descriptions.
Poetry Collection and Selections
Abu Nuwas did not compile his own diwan (poetry collection); instead, several historians gathered, titled, and cataloged his works. Among these historians is Al-Suli, who compiled his poems into ten sections, alongside Al-Asfahani. Al-Mahalim ibn Yamout ibn Mazarded refined and organized his poetry in a book entitled “The Thefts of Abu Nuwas.”
Among the beautiful verses created by Abu Nuwas are the following poems:
Poem: “Leave Off Your Blame”
Leave off your blame, for blame is temptation,
And cure me with that which was the disease.
Yellow wine does not let worries invade its space,
If a stone touched it, it would be touched by happiness.
From a hand of one skilled in the art,
With two admirers, one a man and the other a woman.
She stood with her pitcher while the night was dark,
And a sparkle radiated from her face in the house.
She poured forth from the pitcher, pure nectar,
As if taken with the eye, and I was in a trance.
It graciously thinned out the water until it became incompatible,
And the water left its form.
Had you mixed it with light, it would have produced wonders,
Creating beams and shining light.
It revolved around a group for whom time would bend,
And they were entitled to whatever they desired.
For her, I weep, but I do not shed tears for a place,
Where Hind and Asma once resided.
Except for the pearl, which deserves a tent,
And from it, camels and sheep will depart.
Tell the one who claims philosophical knowledge,
You’ve learned something, while much eludes you.
Do not resent forgiveness if you are a person of restraint,
For your constraining of it in religion is a shame.
Poem: “Praise Wine for Its Attributes”
I praise the wine for its attributes,
And name it the best of its names.
Do not allow water to conquer it,
Nor let it dominate its own essence.
An aged wine, long treasured,
Experiencing the passage of time.
The vintner scarcely touches it,
Except for the last of its charm.
It revolves, bringing life, unblamed,
To the souls whose spirits have waned.
For drink is consumed by a crowd,
Who, if counted, would not match it.
Poem: “O Lord, the Gathering of Youths for Whom I Longed”
O Lord of the gathering of youths for whom I longed,
And the night is wrapped in darkness.
For sipping pure wine from a pitcher,
Covering the eyes of its patrons with its shine.
Like an elegant maiden, or graceful drapery,
To spend a joyful moment in the hands of a drinker.
From the wine of Jannah or the wine of Surayn,
As if the sound of the pitcher among them,
Were the return of melodies or the echo of a breeze.
Until it flowed amongst the people and spread out,
And their eyes became heavy with languor.
I asked the merchant, “How long has it been pressed?”
He replied, “You’re asking beyond the means of my counting.”
I was informed that my grandfather chose it,
From the treasures of Adam or the legacy of Eve.
It has been lingering that way,
Until made accessible, it became the heritage of my forefathers.
And we, amidst the orchards, breathe in the fragrance,
Of violets, rather than the scent of saffron.
It is pursued by a soft one, who in nature is coarse,
His eyes meet those who gaze upon him.
His body is adorned with grace, full of charm,
As if he had a tattoo of henna on his palms.
He curls his hair, weaving braids,
On his forehead, and lines on his cheeks.
His eyes inflict pain on all who behold,
And perhaps they could cure the pangs of love.
I drink from his clear eyes,
And I sip another with my friends.
And one who chastised me in ignorance, I told him:
Indeed, by your life, I am enamored of my beloved.