al-Mutanabbi

Abu al-Tayyib Ahmad ibn al-Husayn al-Ju'fi al-Kindi, known as al-Mutanabbi (303-354H / 915-965 CE), is widely considered the greatest poet in the Arabic language. Born in Kufa, he served as court poet for the Hamdanid ruler Sayf al-Dawla of Aleppo for nine years — producing some of the most celebrated Arabic verse. His poetry covers panegyric, self-praise, wisdom, and lament, and is notable for its philosophical depth and memorable formulations. Countless Arabic expressions, proverbs, and idioms derive from his lines. His name al-Mutanabbi ('the one who claimed prophethood') refers to a youthful claim he reportedly made and later recanted.