'Ubayd ibn al-Abrash: The Poet of Love and Description

'Ubayd ibn al-Abrash: The Poet of Love and Description

Introduction

'Ubayd ibn al-Abrash was an Arab poet from the Bakr ibn Wail tribe, renowned for his love and descriptive poetry. He was known by the epithet "The Poet of Wisdom."

His Early Life

'Ubayd ibn al-Abrash was born in Najd in the 6th century CE, and his father belonged to the knights of the Bakr ibn Wail tribe.

His Poetry

'Ubayd ibn al-Abrash's poetry exhibited several characteristics:

Love: He was famous for his love poetry, expressing affection for numerous women, with his most notable muse being Layla al-'Amiriya. He described their beauty and allure in a unique style.

Description: 'Ubayd ibn al-Abrash was a skillful descriptive poet, portraying nature, animals, and people with precision and beauty.

Prominent Poems

Some of 'Ubayd ibn al-Abrash's important poems include:

  • "Aqfar Min Ahlihi Malhub": A poem describing 'Ubayd's journey to the Levant.

  • "Wusf Farsihi": A poem describing 'Ubayd ibn al-Abrash's horse.

  • "Mu'allaqat 'Ubayd ibn al-Abrash": A poem celebrating the beauty of Layla al-'Amiriya.

His Death

'Ubayd ibn al-Abrash died at a young age during his journey to the Levant when he was killed by one of his cousins.

His Place in Arabic Literature

'Ubayd ibn al-Abrash is considered one of the most renowned poets of the pre-Islamic era (the Jahiliyyah). He left a significant mark on Arabic literature, particularly in the realms of love, description, and wisdom.

Additional Information

'Ubayd ibn al-Abrash is one of the most famous poets of the Mu'allaqat, a collection of pre-Islamic Arabic poems known for their eloquence and excellence.

Similarities Between 'Ubayd ibn al-Abrash and Tarfah ibn al-'Abd

'Ubayd ibn al-Abrash and Tarfah ibn al-'Abd shared many similarities in their poetry, including:

  • Length: Both poets composed lengthy poems, often spanning dozens of verses.
  • Love: Love was a central theme in their poetry, where they expressed their affection for various women.
  • Description: Description played a significant role in their works, with precise and beautiful depictions of nature, animals, and people.

However, there were also some differences between their poetry, such as:

  • Style: 'Ubayd ibn al-Abrash's style was more refined and mellifluous compared to Tarfah ibn al-'Abd.
  • Themes: 'Ubayd ibn al-Abrash explored other themes in his poetry beyond love, including descriptions of nature and elegies.

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References

  • "Al-Shi'r al-'Arabi al-Jahili" by Dr. Shuqi Dhif, Dar al-Ma'arif, Cairo, 1985.
  • "Tarikh al-Adab al-'Arabi" by Dr. Taha Hussein, Dar al-Ma'arif, Cairo, 1985.
  • "Al-Shi'r al-'Arabi al-Jahili" by Dr. Muhammad Ghunaimi Hilal, Dar Nahdat Misr, Cairo, 1977.