Literature By Christina Oelsner

Literature in the Umayyad Empire Most literature was poetry pertaining to love. Ghazal- poem consisting of rhymes, couplets, and refrains (mostly about love and separation). Qasidah- a type of poem, although first when pre-Islamic, was written usually about one main subject and has heavier meters. “Now” the main themes usually pertain to tribes, hajj, or other religious ideas.

Writers who influenced Literature Walid ibn Yazid (died 744)- last emperor of the Umayyad Empire; wrote short and sweet love verses and poetry about wine. Two famous writers who contributed to the Hadith, or a great compilation of Islamic traditions, were acknowledged as writing works that closely followed in religious importance of the Qur’an.

Works of Literature al-Bukhari wrote the At-Ta’rikn al-Kabir which means “The Large History.” Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj wrote the Sahih or “The Genuine.”

Literature in the Abbasid Empire Townspeople could become poets, wasn’t exclusive. There was a conflict between the traditional ideals and the “modern” way. Classical Bedouin style was the main style of literature. Hubb Udri (Udrah love) parallel to Ghazal Learned to make cheap writing material from the Chinese.

Influential Writers Ibn al-Mutazz- wrote the Kitab al-Badi (“Book of the Novel and Strange”); a “modern” poet who laid the foundation for stylistic devices in Arabic poetry. Abu Nuwas- the most remarkable Abbasid poet because of all the controversy he caused with orthodox Muslims.

Works of Literature The Thousand and One Nights- has Islamic characters and morals/themes in many of the stories. Shah-Nama (“Book of the Kings”)- epic poem Rubaiyat- about finding oneself and becoming one instead of lusting over a woman. Al-Fu Sul wa al-ghayat (“Paragraphs and Periods”)- was believed to be a parody to Qur’an.

Role in Islamic Empire Writer, al-Hariri, has influenced the language and learning of Islamic civilization through his short stories and essays about grammar. Hadith Spread Islamic culture such as “conduct of government” and “rules of etiquette.”

Impact on Modern Society Through studying the poets, historians today find information on Islamic societies, politics, and religion. ‘“If Farazdaq’s [a Umayyad poet] poetry did not exist, one third of the Arabic language would be lost.”

Works Cited "The Golden Age." Islam and Islamic History in arabia and The Middle East. 6 Oct. 2008 <http://www.islamicity.com>. Hadith Sahih Bukhari (in Arabic). 7 Oct. 2008 <http://www.hilalplaza.com>. "Islamic Arts." Britannica Online. 3 Oct. 2008 <http://www.britannica.com/ebchecked/topic/295642/islamic-arts#>. Stearns, Peter N. World civilizations: The Global Experience. 5th ed. New York, NY: Pearson Education, Inc, 2007. 158-59. The Thousand and One Nights. 7 Oct. 2008 <http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/p/0140442898.01.lzzzzzzz.jpg>.