Al-Sharif Al-Razi
Abu Al-Hasan Muhammad bin Al-Hussein bin Musa bin Muhammad bin Musa bin Ibrahim (Al-Kadhim) is renowned by the title Al-Sharif Al-Razi. His father, Abu Ahmad, held a distinguished position in society. Al-Sharif Al-Razi was born and raised in Baghdad in the year 969 AD. He pursued studies in language and literature under the guidance of some of the most prominent scholars of Baghdad, mastering Arabic grammar, eloquence, jurisprudence, interpretation, hadith, and theology. He gained recognition for his profound poetry and religious knowledge, serving as the head of the Alawites during the Abbasid era until his passing. His poetry is characterized by its eloquence, melodic expression, rich meanings, and adherence to metrical structures. Notably, he composed verses on various themes, including romance, pride, and elegy. It is important to highlight that he was considered one of the notable poets, having started writing poetry at the tender age of ten.
Al-Buhturi
Al-Buhturi, known as Abu Ubaidah Al-Walid bin Ubaid Al-Tai, earned his nickname from his clan, the Buhtr. He was born in 204 AH in the region of Manbij, which is northeast of Aleppo, and he passed away in 284 AH. His poetic talent emerged early in life as he composed verses on various subjects. Al-Buhturi is particularly recognized for his poems that praise the Abbasid caliphs, from Al-Mutawakkil to Al-Mu’tadid. Among his famous lines praising the Banu Abbas are the following:
Honor of the Banu Abbas, indeed your forefather
Is the uncle of the Prophet, a branch of his lineage.
Virtue is granted to the one who sought it through him,
And interceded as he sought intercession.
And I see the caliphate, the highest rank,
Truly belongs to you, a hereditary claim that you do not dispute.
God bestowed it upon you with knowledge of your worth,
And indeed, God gives to whom He wills and withholds from whom He wills.
Ibn Al-Rumi
Ibn Al-Rumi, whose full name is Ali bin Al-Abbas bin Jareer, hailed from Greek origins. He grew up as a supporter of Abdullah bin Al-‘Isa bin Ja’far Al-Mansur Al-Abbasi and lived in a well-off family. He pursued his education in traditional schools focused on Quran memorization, grammar, poetry, speeches, and some arithmetic problems. He also participated in the scholarly gatherings held in mosques. Ibn Al-Rumi’s poetic talent shone through at an early age when he composed verses mocking his colleague Ja’far from his schooldays. He adopted poetry as a means of earning a living, showcasing some of his work in the following verses:
Travel has made me disdain riches,
And tempted me to shun all demands.
Thus, in wealth, I have become a most reluctant ascetic,
Even though I yearn for wealth.
Yearning, fearful, I desire yet refrain,
In the presence of fate, the gaze of provision is like that of a wary observer.
Ibn Al-Mu’tazz
Ibn Al-Mu’tazz, born Abdullah bin Muhammad Al-Mu’tazz Billah, is the son of Al-Mutawakkil bin Al-Mu’tassim bin Al-Rashid Al-Abbasi. He was known by the title Abu Al-Abbas. This creative poet was born in Baghdad and showed a keen interest in literature, often seeking out the eloquent Bedouins to learn from them. It is said that he served as a caliph for one day and one night, during the reign of Al-Mu’tadir Al-Abbasi. Following his brief leadership, he was deposed, and the people pledged allegiance to Ibn Al-Mu’tazz, who ruled for a single day before being removed from power by the followers of Al-Mu’tadir, who subsequently regained control. Ibn Al-Mu’tazz was captured and handed over to his servant, who tragically took his life by strangulation.