The Prose Literature in the Early Abbasid Era
Prose literature flourished remarkably during the early Abbasid period, experiencing a significant evolution across various facets of life. It began to encompass a wide range of knowledge, blending intellectual, political, social, and cultural themes. Additionally, prose expanded to include philosophy and was influenced by foreign cultures, particularly Greek thought. Numerous writers, thinkers, translators, and orators emerged during this era, preserving these sciences and contributing to their development while safeguarding them from oblivion.
The early Abbasid period is distinguished as the “Age of Writing,” notable for advancements in writing techniques, including various writing instruments and materials. It also marked a significant evolution in social and cultural affairs. The increasing conversion to Islam and the integration of diverse peoples into Arabic and Islamic culture played a pivotal role in stimulating prose literature. The prose arts of this period can be categorized into two main types:
Oral Prose Arts
These are oral prose forms that rely on recitation aimed at preaching, guidance, wisdom, and instruction. They only necessitate writing when the intended audience is not in the presence of the speaker, except in the case of debates, which remain unwritten. The following are key genres of oral prose:
- Rhetoric
Rhetoric is an ancient genre of Arabic prose that dates back to the beginnings of the pre-Islamic period, if not earlier. With the advent of Islam, this prose form evolved and flourished, witnessing a significant resurgence during the Umayyad era, thanks to the coming to power of the Umayyads. This momentum carried into the early Abbasid period, where rhetoric became a political tool to elucidate issues of governance and the Abbasid caliphate, instilling enthusiasm in military ranks.
- Debates
The Abbasids played a crucial role in the evolution of debates, which reached their zenith in the second century of the Hijra calendar. Debates were often held on various occasions and addressed numerous topics, typically involving exchanges among speakers engaging in discourse and argumentation. The Mu’tazila group significantly contributed to this genre by exploring the eloquence of speech and providing extensive observations on the subject.
- Testaments
Testaments emerged gradually, influenced by incoming cultures that combined with Arabic traditions, enriching the meanings and introducing new themes derived from religious texts and different civilizations. Testaments became prevalent among rulers and caliphs as they offered their children wise advice and eloquent utterances, alongside the sermons and admonitions provided by preachers and ascetics in the presence of caliphs and ministers.
Furthermore, proverbs and wisdom are closely related. Over time, wisdoms transformed into widely recognized proverbs that resonate emotionally with society, drawing comparisons between current circumstances and past experiences.
Written Prose Arts
These forms of prose rely on documentation and writing, distinguishing them from oral prose arts, which are generally spoken unless in rare cases such as letters. Written prose can be produced from oral sources, except for debate genres. The following are specific written prose arts:
- Letters
The expansion of Islamic conquests led to the proliferation and advancement of this art form. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) promoted this genre and emphasized the importance of writing and learning to read. He sent missionary letters to neighboring tribes, and caliphs utilized this form in crafting letters for various purposes, such as treaties and agreements.
- Edicts
This genre is specifically associated with caliphs, princes, and ministers, who used it to receive complaints from the oppressed. They often appended a Quranic verse, prophetic saying, poetry, or a piece of wisdom to their responses.