Prominent Poets of Praise in Pre-Islamic Arabia
During the pre-Islamic era, a number of poets gained fame for their laudatory verses, including renowned figures such as Zuhayr ibn Abi Sulma, Imru’ al-Qais, and Al-A’sha. Among the most distinguished of these poets was the Nabigha al-Dhubyani, who specialized in praising the kings of the Ghassanids.
Praise poetry was also a significant component of the Mu’allaqat, a collection of pre-Islamic poems. These works typically commenced with descriptions of ruins and lamentations over past dwellings, followed by accounts of journeys. Eventually, the poets would transition to their main focus, which often included themes of praise, as exemplified in Zuhayr ibn Abi Sulma’s Mu’allaqa.
Poets composed verses to honor the heroic deeds of tribes in warfare and to extol their virtuous qualities, such as generosity, hospitality, and their commitment to aid those in distress. Conversely, some poets crafted verses to commend kings and nobles, primarily seeking financial rewards. This practice contributed to the evolution of laudatory poetry into a lucrative trade, allowing poets to travel to royal courts to offer their praises in exchange for wealth and gifts.
Zuhayr ibn Abi Sulma
Zuhayr ibn Abi Sulma, known as Rabee’ah ibn Riyaah al-Muzani, lived among his maternal tribe, Banu Ghatafan. He was a contemporary of the Duhas and al-Ghabra wars between the tribes of Duhas and Ghatafan.
In his famous Mu’allaqa, Zuhayr eloquently praises Hiram ibn Sinan and al-Harith ibn Awf for their successful efforts in resolving the conflict between the tribes of Abs and Dhubyān during the Duhas and al-Ghabra wars, highlighting their generosity in paying the blood money to settle disputes, stating:
“You intervened for Abs and Dhubyān after they
perished and clashed over feuds among them.
And you both said: If you seek peace earnestly,
with wealth and kindness, we will yield to peace.
Thus, you find yourselves in a good location,
distant from disobedience and wrongdoing.”
He also composed another poem commending their bravery and swiftness in coming to the aid of their allies, describing their horses as swift as the wind:
“When they are alarmed, they rush to assist those in need,
towering like lances, not weak nor unarmed.
With steeds that are extraordinary in their swiftness,
they are worthy of achieving greatness one day.
They are the best clan among Ma’ad, of whom I am aware,
having bountiful rewards from their own people.”
Al-A’sha
Al-A’sha, whose full name was Maymoon, belonged to one of the largest Arab tribes with extensive branches throughout the Arabian Peninsula. He hailed from the Sad branch of Dhubay’a, which participated in the Basus War. Known as Al-A’sha due to his poor eyesight, he became completely blind in his later years. He was also referred to as “the bard of the Arabs,” as his verses were widely sung.
Al-A’sha frequently visited the courts of various Arab and Persian kings, and he was prolific in his poetry, perhaps more so than any poet before him. He notably praised Huda ibn Ali, a leader of the Banu Hanifa, in the following lines:
“To Huda the generous I dedicate my praise,
hoping for excellent rewards from your generosity.
I heard tales of your vastness in generosity,
so I drew my bucket and fetched water from your pool.
And you, who have accustomed me to favor,
were the one who sheltered me under your shade.”
The Nabigha al-Dhubyani
The Nabigha al-Dhubyani, whose real name was Ziyad ibn Muawiyah ibn Dubay and from the Dhubyān tribe, is popularly known by the names of his two daughters, hence referred to as Abu Kinnana and Abu Thumamah. A prominent leader among his tribe, he earned the title “Nabigha” due to his exceptional talent in poetry, reportedly composing verses in his later years, before his mind began to falter.
He frequently visited the Ghassanid court, extolling the merits of its leaders. His well-known ode, the Bā’iyyah, reflects a tribute to ‘Umar ibn al-Harith al-Ghassani and his army’s victories on the Day of Halimah against their enemies, encapsulating these sentiments in the following lines:
“When they attacked with their forces,
the flight of birds guided them to the way.
There was no flaw in them except that their swords
were left with remnants from the clash of battalions.
They inherited this glory since the days of Halimah,
to the time when they have encountered every experience.”
In conclusion, it is evident that praise poetry was a prominent literary form in pre-Islamic Arabia, initially celebrating tribal valor and virtuous traits. Over time, the purpose of laudatory poetry evolved into a means of securing wealth and gifts for the poets.