The Islamic Poetry Tradition

Poetry holds a unique place in Islamic civilization. The Quran itself was revealed to a people who prized poetry above all art forms; the annual fairs of pre-Islamic Arabia featured poetry competitions, and the greatest poems (the Mu'allaqat, the "Suspended Odes") were hung on the walls of the Kaaba. While the Quran distinguished itself from poetry ("We did not teach him poetry, nor is it befitting for him," Quran 36:69), Islam did not abolish the poetic tradition but rather redirected it toward truth and noble purposes. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Indeed, there is wisdom in some poetry" (Sahih al-Bukhari).

Poetry in the Prophet's Time

The Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged poets who used their talents in defense of Islam. Hassan ibn Thabit (may Allah be pleased with him) was the Prophet's poet, composing verses in defense of the Muslim community against the mockery of Quraysh. The Prophet told him: "Respond on behalf of Islam, for the Holy Spirit (Jibril) supports you" (Sahih al-Bukhari). Ka'b ibn Zuhayr composed his famous poem "Banat Su'ad" (Su'ad Has Departed) upon accepting Islam, and the Prophet gave him his cloak (burda) in appreciation. This "Burda" became one of the most celebrated poems in Arabic literature, inspiring later works including al-Busiri's famous Burda poem in praise of the Prophet.

Major Poetic Traditions

Islamic poetry developed in multiple languages. Arabic poetry continued to flourish, from the court poets of the Umayyads to the mystical verse of Ibn al-Farid and the philosophical poetry of al-Ma'arri. Persian poetry reached extraordinary heights with Firdawsi's Shahnameh, Rumi's Masnavi (called the "Quran in Persian" by Jami for its spiritual depth), Hafiz's ghazals, and Sa'di's Gulistan and Bustan. Turkish poetry developed its own forms under the Ottomans, with Yunus Emre and Fuzuli among its greatest voices. Urdu poetry, with masters like Ghalib, Iqbal, and Faiz, became a vehicle for both spiritual expression and social commentary. In all these traditions, poetry served as a means of praising Allah, honoring the Prophet, teaching wisdom, and expressing the deepest human emotions.

Poetry and Spiritual Life

The relationship between poetry and Islamic spirituality has been profound. Sufi poets in particular used the language of love, longing, and union to describe the soul's journey toward Allah. Rumi's Masnavi, with its thousands of couplets, uses stories, metaphors, and direct address to guide the reader toward divine awareness. Iqbal's poetry in Urdu and Persian revived Muslim consciousness in the modern era, calling for a renewed engagement with Islamic principles. While some scholars have cautioned against poetry that uses inappropriate metaphors or leads to excess, the mainstream position recognizes that poetry, like all speech, is judged by its content and intention. Noble poetry that praises Allah, inspires virtue, and moves hearts toward truth is not merely permissible but praiseworthy.