THE SEVEN GOLDEN ODES OF ARABIA (The Mu’allaqat)

THE SEVEN GOLDEN ODES OF ARABIA (The Mu’allaqat)Translations, Introduction Paul SmithThe Mu’allaqat is the title of a group of seven long Arabic odes or qasidas that have come down from the time before Islam. Each is considered the best work of these pre-Islamic poets. The name means ‘The Suspended Qasidas’ or ‘The Hanging Poems’, the traditional explanation being that these poems were hung on or in the Kaaba at Mecca. These famous ancient Arabic qasidas are formed of three parts: they start, with a nostalgic opening in which the poet reflects on what has passed, known as nasib. A common concept is the pursuit of the poet of the caravan of his love; by the time he reaches their campsite they have already moved on. The second section is rahil (travel section) in which the poet contemplates the harshness of nature and life away from the tribe. Finally there is the message of the poem, which can take several forms: praise of the tribe, fakhr; satire about other tribes, hija; or some moral maxims, hikam. Included with each qasida of each poet is a brief biography plus a list of further reading. The correct rhyme-structure has been kept as well as the beauty and meaning of these powerfull poems. CONTENTS: The Introduction… The Mu’allaqat, The Qasida. The Poets… Imra’ul-Qays, Tarafa, Amru, Harith, Antara, Zuhair, Labid. Appendix… Kab’s Qasida of the Mantle. Pages… 140 in the paperback.Paul Smith is a poet, author and translator of over 80 books of Sufi poets from the Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Pashtu and other languages… including Hafiz, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, ‘Attar, Sana’i, Jahan Khatun, Obeyd Zakani, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Khayyam, Rudaki, Yunus Emre and many others, as well as poetry, fiction, plays, biographies and screenplays. Read more