Understanding The Prophet's Life
From Issue: 828 [Read full issue]
Islamic Poetry
Among the poets who fought with their poetry defending the Islamic faith and its Messenger, at the height of the battle against idolatry and idolaters during the Prophet's lifetime were Hassan ibn Thabit, Kab ibn Malik and Abdullah ibn Rawahah, all of whom were from among the Ansar. Also among them were Abdullah ibn al-Zibara and Abu Sufyan ibn al-Harith ibn Abd al-Muttalib, both of whom used to abuse the Prophet in their poetry in their pre-Islamic days. When they adopted Islam, they did well and composed fine poetry in praise of the Prophet and in support of Islam.
It is authentically reported that the Prophet said to Hassan: "Attack them and Gabriel [the angel] will support you." Abd al-Rahman ibn Kab reports that his father, Kab ibn Malik, said to God's Messenger: "God has revealed what you know about poets." The Prophet said to him: "A believer defends Islam with his sword as also with his tongue. By Him who holds my soul in His hand, your words that you throw at them are just like arrows" [Related by Ahmad].
This type of Islamic poetry was what was needed at the time. There are other modes, however, by which poetry and art become Islamic. It is sufficient that poetry or art in general issues from an Islamic concept of life, in any field, to gain Islamic acceptance. Poetry can be perfectly Islamic without having to attack the opponents of Islam, defend Islam, glorify its values or history, or contribute directly to its advocacy. A glance at the passage of night, feeling the first breath of dawn, coupled with an expression of a Muslim's sense that relates such phenomena to the Creator, is of the very essence of Islamic poetry. A moment of inner enlightenment, feeling God's presence or action, or relating what one sees in the world around one to its Creator, is bound to produce poetry that is perfectly acceptable to Islam.
The point that distinguishes what Islam rejects from what it approves is that Islam has its own concept of life as a whole, its relations and bonds. Whatever poetry issues from such a concept is fine and acceptable from the Islamic point of view.
Compiled From:
"In the Shade of the Quran" - Sayyid Qutb, Vol. 13, pp. 99, 100