Poetry Approved by the Prophet
Adil Salahi, Arab News
We mentioned last week the fact that many people tend to think that Islam does not approve of poetry, and stated that Islam does not take a stand against poetry in general, condemning everything poets compose. Rather, it is the contents that determine how Islam views a certain poem. We mentioned why the Prophet (peace be upon
him) himself never composed a line of poetry despite the fact that he was the most expressive and eloquent of people. But the Prophet appreciated fine poetry, recognizing that it could be an influential tool of Islamic advocacy, provided that it did not indulge in the sort of exaggeration poets often employ, particularly when they speak about themselves, or about someone they love, hate or want to curry favor with.
When poetry has a message to make, or expresses something true, or describes a fact, or encourages something good, or exposes an evil practice, or is generally truthful, it is certainly good and should be encouraged. There were a number of fine poets among the Prophets companions, and he encouraged them to employ their art in the service of the Islamic message. When they
do that, there is no restriction on what they say, other than the general Islamic standards that apply to Muslims in all situations, such as the prohibition of falsehood and obscenity.
History tells us that when the Prophet and his companions wanted to visit the Kaabah in Makkah, six years after their immigration to Madinah, the unbelievers in Makkah took an unyielding stand, trying hard to prevent them from doing so. It was the tribe of the Quraysh that ruled in Makkah and they were fierce in their opposition to Islam, having waged several battles to try to smash the newly established Muslim state in Madinah. The Prophet was with 1400 of his companions, all ready for their Umrah, wearing ihraam garments, and carrying only their swords in their sheaths, which was the normal
practice of anyone traveling far in the desert, but clearly indicating peaceful intentions. Yet the Quraysh was determined to prevent them entry, in violation of their commitment to allow entry for anyone who wants to worship at the Kaabah. There was an impasse that continued for several days, with the Prophet and his companions encamping at Al-Hudaybiyah, around 25 km from Makkah. Eventually the two sides reached an agreement by which the Prophet and his companions agreed to go back without entering Makkah, while the Quraysh committed themselves to allow the Muslims free entry to Makkah the following year for worship at the Kaabah for three days.
When the Prophet and his companions came back the following year for their compensatory Umrah, one of their poets, Abdullah ibn Rawahah, was walking in
front of the Prophet and chanting a few lines of poetry that said:
Move away, you unbelievers, from his path;
This day, in defense of his revelations, we are able to strike you
With such force that separates heads from their bodies
And leaves a friend totally unaware of his friends.
Umar was
walking close by and apparently he did not like what he heard. He said to Abdullah: Ibn Rawahah! You are chanting poetry in front of Gods Messenger, and in Gods House? The Prophet said to him: Leave him alone, Umar. His poetry upsets the unbelievers more than arrows falling on them. (Related by Al-Tirmidhi, Al-Nassaie, and Ibn Khuzaymah.)
Another incident indicating that Umar did not like that poetry be recited in a mosque mentions that he once noticed that Hassan ibn Thabit was reciting some of his poetry in the Prophets Mosque. He looked at him in a way that showed disapproval. Hassan felt that Umar wanted him to stop. Therefore, he said to Umar: I used to recite my poetry in this mosque at a time when there was here someone who was certainly better than you (meaning the Prophet
himself). Hassan then turned to Abu Hurayrah and said to him: I ask you by God to say whether you heard Gods Messenger saying to me: Answer the unbelievers on my behalf! My Lord, strengthen him with the power of the Holy Spirit. Abu Hurayrah said: I certainly have. (Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.)
Umars disapproval did not amount to objection. When this incident took place he was the caliph ruling the Islamic state. So, he could have ordered Hassan to stop and Hassan would have had no choice but to comply. Umar simply looked at him disapprovingly. His attitude is based on the fact that poetry has been mentioned rather disapprovingly in the Quran. This shows how Umar was very sensitive to Islamic values. Since the Quran highlighted the main weakness of poetry given to
exaggeration, he felt that it was better kept outside the mosque. Hassan understood immediately what Umar was thinking. Hence, he sought Abu Hurayrahs support in defending his action, who duly confirmed that Hassan used to recite poetry in the mosque in the Prophets presence, who did not only appreciate his poetry, but prayed God to strengthen him.
The Prophets attitude makes clear that poetry could be a very effective tool in the battle against false beliefs. It gave Muslims greater confidence and strengthened their resolve to preserve and implement their faith. We may liken poetry in Arabia at
that time to the media and its social role in our days. The media has become very influential social tool that has a strong bearing on popular attitudes.
Where there is conflict or rivalry between states, ideas and philosophies, the media could be instrumental in determining the outcome. This was certainly true in the rivalry between the Soviet bloc and the Western bloc in the second half of the last century. In the early days of Islam, poetry had the same effect, with poets being able to sway public opinion in support of their values or the ideals they believed in. Hence, the Prophets encouragement for poets who were able to defend Islam and its values. They did their best to support the cause of Islam. May God reward them handsomely.
Islam in Perspective http://www.ourdialogue.com
AB
"For to us will be their return; then it will be for us to call them to account." (Holy Quran 88:25-26)
Yahoo! Photos Showcase holiday pictures in hardcover
Photo Books. You design it and well bind it!
***************************************************************************
{Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.}
(Holy Quran-16:125)
{And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allah (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims."} (Holy Quran-41:33)
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "By Allah, if Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best types of camels." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said, "Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all."
[Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
All views expressed herein belong to the individuals concerned and do not in any way reflect the official views of IslamCity unless sanctioned or approved otherwise.
If your mailbox clogged with mails from IslamCity, you may wish to get a daily digest of emails by logging-on to http://www.yahoogroups.com to change your mail delivery settings or email the moderators at [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the title "change to daily digest".
SPONSORED LINKS
| Holy quran |
YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
- Visit your group "islamcity" on the web.
- To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
- Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
