Abū al-Ṭayyib Aḥmad ibn al-Ḥusayn al-Mutanabbī al-Kindī (Arabic: أبو الطيب أحمد بن الحسين المتنبّي الكندي; c. 915 – 23 September 965 AD) from Kufa, Abbasid Caliphate, was a famous Abbasid-era Arab poet at the court of the Hamdanid emir Sayf al-Dawla in Aleppo, and for whom he composed 300 folios of poetry.[1][2][3] His poetic style earned him great popularity in his time and many of his poems are not only still widely read in today's Arab world but are considered to be proverbial.
An Arabic manuscript with the Diwan of Mutanabbi (Sharh Diwan Al-Mutanabbi), by the scribal scholar Abu-I-Tayyib Ahmad Ibn al-Hussain, c. 1300 AD, origin unknown
He started writing poetry when he was nine years old. He is well known for his sharp intelligence and wittiness. Among the topics he discussed were courage, the philosophy of life, and the description of battles. As one of the greatest, most prominent and influential poets in the Arabic language, much of his work has been translated into over 20 languages worldwide.
His great talent brought him very close to many leaders of his time, whom he extolled in return for money and gifts. His political ambitions, however, ultimately soured his relations with his patrons and his egomania may have cost him his life when the subjects of some of his verse attacked him.
Al-Mutanabbi was born in the Iraqi city of Kufah in 915. His father claimed descent from the South Arabian tribe of Banu Ju'fa.[4] His last name, Al-Kindī, was attributed to the district he was born.[5]
Owing to his poetic talent, and claiming predecession of prophet Saleh, al-Mutanabbi received an education in Damascus, Syria. When Shi'ite Qarmatians sacked Kufah in 924, he joined them and lived among the Banu Kalb and other Bedouin tribes. Learning their doctrines and dialect, he had many followers, and even claimed to be a Nabi (نَـبِي, Prophet)—hence the name Al-Mutanabbi ("The Would-be Prophet").
He led a Qarmatian revolt in Syria in 932. After its suppression and two years of imprisonment by the Ikhshid governor of Hims,[6] he recanted in 935 and became a wandering poet. During this period he began writing his first known poems. Political ambition to be a Wali led al-Mutanabbi to the courts of Sayf al-Dawla and Abu al-Misk Kafur but in this ambition he failed.[citation needed]
Al-Mutanabbi and Sayf al-Dawla
Al-Mutanabbi lived at the time when the Abbasid Caliphate started coming apart and many of the states in the Islamic world became politically and militarily independent. Chief among those states was the Emirate of Aleppo.
He began to write panegyrics in the tradition established by the poets Abu Tammam and al-Buhturi. In 948 he joined the court of Sayf al-Dawla, the Hamdanid poet-prince of northern Syria. Sayf al-Dawla was greatly concerned with fighting the Byzantine Empire in Asia minor, where Al-Mutanabbi fought alongside him. During his nine years stay at Sayf al-Dawla's court, Al-Mutanabbi wrote his greatest and most famous poems, panegyrics in praise of his patron that rank as masterpieces of Arabic poetry.
During his stay in Aleppo, Al-Mutanabbi found himself at odds with many scholars and poets in Sayf al-Dawla's court, including Abu Firas al-Hamdani, a poet and Sayf al-Dawla's cousin. In addition, Al-Mutanabbi lost Sayf al-Dawla's favor because of his political ambition to be Wāli. The latter part of this period was clouded with intrigues and jealousies that culminated in al-Mutanabbi's leaving Syria for Egypt, then ruled in name by the Ikhshidids.
Al-Mutanabbi in Egypt
Al-Mutanabbi joined the court of Abu al-Misk Kafur after parting ways with Saif al Dawla. Kafur mistrusted Al-Mutanabbi's intentions, claiming them to be a threat to his position. Al-Mutanabbi realized that his hopes of becoming a statesman were not going to bear fruit and he left Egypt in c. 960. After he left, he heavily criticized Abu al-Misk Kafur with satirical odes.
Mutanabbi's egomaniacal nature seems to have got him in trouble several times and might be why he was killed. This can be seen in his poetry, which is often conceited:
In a famous poem he speaks to the power of identity and the freedom that comes with knowing oneself.
و أسمعت كلماتي من به صمم
أنا الذي نظر الأعمى إلى أدبي
والسيف والرمح والقرطاس والقلم
الخيل والليل والبيداء تعرفني
ʾAnā al-ladhī naẓar al-ʾaʿmā ʾilā ʾadabī
Wa-ʾasmaʿat kalimātī man bih ṣamam
Al-ḫayl wal-layl wal-baydāʾ taʿrifnī
Was-sayf war-rumḥ wal-qirṭās wal-qalam.
I am the one whose literature can be seen (even) by the blind
And whose words are heard (even) by the deaf.
The steed, the night and the desert all know me
As do the sword, the spear, the scripture and the pen.
Al-Mutanabbi was killed because one of his poems contained a great insult to a man called "Ḍabbah al-Asadī" (Arabic: ضبّة الأسدي).[citation needed] Dabbah, along with his uncle Fātik al-Asadī (Arabic: فاتك الأسدي), managed to intercept al-Mutanabbi, his son Muḥassad (محسّد), and his servant near Baghdad in 965. Ibn Rachik reported that when al-Mutanabbi had the chance to flee, the attackers recited some of the bold verses he wrote relating to courage, and he was forced to live up to them; he stayed and fought, and died along with his companions.[citation needed]
Legacy
Statue of Al-Mutanabbi in Mutanabbi Street, Baghdad by the Iraqi sculptor, Mohammed Ghani Hikmat (1960s)
Ibn Jinni the grammarian (c. 941/2—1001/2) wrote a commentary on Mutanabbi's poetry titled Al-Fasr ('The Explanation').[n 2][8] The poet philosopher Abu Al Alaa al-Marri has also written a book of exegesis on Al-Mutanabbi's poetry.[9] Al Marri, himself an accomplished poet, would usually refer to Al-Mutannabi affectionately as "our poet". Encyclopedia Britannica states: "He gave to the traditional qaṣīdah, or ode, a freer and more personal development, writing in what can be called a neoclassical style that combined some elements of Iraqi and Syrian stylistics with classical features."[10]
^@NASAPersevere (9 February 2021). "Dear @HopeMarsMission, congratulations on arriving at Mars! In the words of the poet Al Mutanabbi" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
Owles, Eric (18 December 2008). "Then and Now: A New Chapter for Baghdad Book Market". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 May 2010.
Al-Khalil, S. and Makiya, K., The Monument: Art, Vulgarity, and Responsibility in Iraq, University of California Press, 1991, p. 74.
Al-Mutanabbî, Le Livre des Sabres, choix de poèmes, présentation et traduction de Hoa Hoï Vuong & Patrick Mégarbané, Actes Sud, Sindbad, novembre 2012.
Arberry, A. J. (trans.), Poems of al-Mutanabbi: A Selection with Introduction, Translations and Notes (London: Cambridge University Press, 1967).
Khallikān (Ibn), Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad (1843). Wafayāt al-A'yān wa-Anbā' Abnā' al-Zamān (The Obituaries of Eminent Men). Vol. I. Translated by McGuckin de Slane, William. Paris: Oriental Translation Fund of Great Britain and Ireland. pp. 102–110.
Arabic Wikisource has original text related to this article:
Al-Mutanabbi
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Al-Mutanabbi The Greatest Arabic Poet
Mutanabbi's poetry recited by Samar Traboulsi
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Works by Al-Mutanabbi at LibriVox (public domain audiobooks)
February 10, 2023
mutanabbi, abū, Ṭayyib, aḥmad, Ḥusayn, mutanabbī, kindī, arabic, أبو, الطيب, أحمد, بن, الحسين, المتنب, الكندي, september, from, kufa, abbasid, caliphate, famous, abbasid, arab, poet, court, hamdanid, emir, sayf, dawla, aleppo, whom, composed, folios, poetry, p. Abu al Ṭayyib Aḥmad ibn al Ḥusayn al Mutanabbi al Kindi Arabic أبو الطيب أحمد بن الحسين المتنب ي الكندي c 915 23 September 965 AD from Kufa Abbasid Caliphate was a famous Abbasid era Arab poet at the court of the Hamdanid emir Sayf al Dawla in Aleppo and for whom he composed 300 folios of poetry 1 2 3 His poetic style earned him great popularity in his time and many of his poems are not only still widely read in today s Arab world but are considered to be proverbial Al Mutanabbi المتنبي Al Mutanabbi Statue in BaghdadBorn915Kufa Abbasid CaliphateDied23 September 965 aged approximately 50 An Numaniyah Abbasid CaliphateOther names أبو الطيب احمد بن الحسين المتنب ي EraIslamic Golden Age Middle Abbasid era RegionArab world Muslim worldMain interestsArabic poetryInfluences Antarah ibn Shaddad SalehInfluenced Huzaifa Shabbir bhai Unjhawala Abd al Wahhab Al Bayati Mohammed Ridha Al ShabibiAn Arabic manuscript with the Diwan of Mutanabbi Sharh Diwan Al Mutanabbi by the scribal scholar Abu I Tayyib Ahmad Ibn al Hussain c 1300 AD origin unknown He started writing poetry when he was nine years old He is well known for his sharp intelligence and wittiness Among the topics he discussed were courage the philosophy of life and the description of battles As one of the greatest most prominent and influential poets in the Arabic language much of his work has been translated into over 20 languages worldwide His great talent brought him very close to many leaders of his time whom he extolled in return for money and gifts His political ambitions however ultimately soured his relations with his patrons and his egomania may have cost him his life when the subjects of some of his verse attacked him Contents 1 Childhood and youth 2 Al Mutanabbi and Sayf al Dawla 3 Al Mutanabbi in Egypt 4 Poetry and famous sayings 5 Death 6 Legacy 7 Notes 8 References 9 Bibliography 10 See also 11 External linksChildhood and youth EditAl Mutanabbi was born in the Iraqi city of Kufah in 915 His father claimed descent from the South Arabian tribe of Banu Ju fa 4 His last name Al Kindi was attributed to the district he was born 5 Owing to his poetic talent and claiming predecession of prophet Saleh al Mutanabbi received an education in Damascus Syria When Shi ite Qarmatians sacked Kufah in 924 he joined them and lived among the Banu Kalb and other Bedouin tribes Learning their doctrines and dialect he had many followers and even claimed to be a Nabi ن ـب ي Prophet hence the name Al Mutanabbi The Would be Prophet He led a Qarmatian revolt in Syria in 932 After its suppression and two years of imprisonment by the Ikhshid governor of Hims 6 he recanted in 935 and became a wandering poet During this period he began writing his first known poems Political ambition to be a Wali led al Mutanabbi to the courts of Sayf al Dawla and Abu al Misk Kafur but in this ambition he failed citation needed Al Mutanabbi and Sayf al Dawla EditAl Mutanabbi lived at the time when the Abbasid Caliphate started coming apart and many of the states in the Islamic world became politically and militarily independent Chief among those states was the Emirate of Aleppo He began to write panegyrics in the tradition established by the poets Abu Tammam and al Buhturi In 948 he joined the court of Sayf al Dawla the Hamdanid poet prince of northern Syria Sayf al Dawla was greatly concerned with fighting the Byzantine Empire in Asia minor where Al Mutanabbi fought alongside him During his nine years stay at Sayf al Dawla s court Al Mutanabbi wrote his greatest and most famous poems panegyrics in praise of his patron that rank as masterpieces of Arabic poetry During his stay in Aleppo Al Mutanabbi found himself at odds with many scholars and poets in Sayf al Dawla s court including Abu Firas al Hamdani a poet and Sayf al Dawla s cousin In addition Al Mutanabbi lost Sayf al Dawla s favor because of his political ambition to be Wali The latter part of this period was clouded with intrigues and jealousies that culminated in al Mutanabbi s leaving Syria for Egypt then ruled in name by the Ikhshidids Al Mutanabbi in Egypt EditAl Mutanabbi joined the court of Abu al Misk Kafur after parting ways with Saif al Dawla Kafur mistrusted Al Mutanabbi s intentions claiming them to be a threat to his position Al Mutanabbi realized that his hopes of becoming a statesman were not going to bear fruit and he left Egypt in c 960 After he left he heavily criticized Abu al Misk Kafur with satirical odes Poetry and famous sayings Edit Diwan of the poetry of Al Mutanabbi from early 14th century Iran Khalili Collection of Islamic ArtMutanabbi s egomaniacal nature seems to have got him in trouble several times and might be why he was killed This can be seen in his poetry which is often conceited In a famous poem he speaks to the power of identity and the freedom that comes with knowing oneself و أسمعت كلماتي من به صمم أنا الذي نظر الأعمى إلى أدبيوالسيف والرمح والقرطاس والقلم الخيل والليل والبيداء تعرفنيʾAna al ladhi naẓar al ʾaʿma ʾila ʾadabi Wa ʾasmaʿat kalimati man bih ṣamamAl ḫayl wal layl wal baydaʾ taʿrifni Was sayf war rumḥ wal qirṭas wal qalam I am the one whose literature can be seen even by the blind And whose words are heard even by the deaf The steed the night and the desert all know me As do the sword the spear the scripture and the pen He was also known to have said فلا تظنن أن الليث يبتسم إذا رأيت نيوب الليث بارزةIf you see the lion s canines Do not think that the lion is smiling تجري الرياح بما لا تشتهي السفن ما كل ما يتمنى المرء يدركهNot all one hopes achieves Winds blow counter to what ships desire ف لا ت قن ع بما دون الن جوم إذا غام ر ت في ش ر ف م ر وم If you ventured in pursuit of glory Don t be satisfied with less than the stars n 1 Death EditAl Mutanabbi was killed because one of his poems contained a great insult to a man called Ḍabbah al Asadi Arabic ضب ة الأسدي citation needed Dabbah along with his uncle Fatik al Asadi Arabic فاتك الأسدي managed to intercept al Mutanabbi his son Muḥassad محس د and his servant near Baghdad in 965 Ibn Rachik reported that when al Mutanabbi had the chance to flee the attackers recited some of the bold verses he wrote relating to courage and he was forced to live up to them he stayed and fought and died along with his companions citation needed Legacy Edit Statue of Al Mutanabbi in Mutanabbi Street Baghdad by the Iraqi sculptor Mohammed Ghani Hikmat 1960s Ibn Jinni the grammarian c 941 2 1001 2 wrote a commentary on Mutanabbi s poetry titled Al Fasr The Explanation n 2 8 The poet philosopher Abu Al Alaa al Marri has also written a book of exegesis on Al Mutanabbi s poetry 9 Al Marri himself an accomplished poet would usually refer to Al Mutannabi affectionately as our poet Encyclopedia Britannica states He gave to the traditional qaṣidah or ode a freer and more personal development writing in what can be called a neoclassical style that combined some elements of Iraqi and Syrian stylistics with classical features 10 Notes Edit NASA mentioned this saying as they congratulated the United Arab Emirates for the Emirates Mars Mission 7 Only in the MS of Al Fihrist in the Chester Beatty Library References Edit Nadim al 1970 p 373 Nadim al 1970 p 1066 Khallikan Ibn 1843 pp 102 110 I Hamori Andras P al Mutanabbi Encyclopaedia of Islam THREE al Mutanabi 2005 Diwan al Mutanabi Bayrut Dar al Jil ISBN 9953 78 127 3 OCLC 225423623 Khallikan Ibn 1843 p 104 I NASAPersevere 9 February 2021 Dear HopeMarsMission congratulations on arriving at Mars In the words of the poet Al Mutanabbi Tweet via Twitter Nadim al 1970 p 189 معجز أحمد كيف نظر المعري إلى المتنبي alaraby co uk Al Mutanabbi Muslim poet Britannica Bibliography EditOwles Eric 18 December 2008 Then and Now A New Chapter for Baghdad Book Market The New York Times Retrieved 19 May 2010 Al Khalil S and Makiya K The Monument Art Vulgarity and Responsibility in Iraq University of California Press 1991 p 74 Al Mutanabbi Le Livre des Sabres choix de poemes presentation et traduction de Hoa Hoi Vuong amp Patrick Megarbane Actes Sud Sindbad novembre 2012 Arberry A J trans Poems of al Mutanabbi A Selection with Introduction Translations and Notes London Cambridge University Press 1967 Khallikan Ibn Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad 1843 Wafayat al A yan wa Anba Abna al Zaman The Obituaries of Eminent Men Vol I Translated by McGuckin de Slane William Paris Oriental Translation Fund of Great Britain and Ireland pp 102 110 Nadim al Abu al Faraj Muḥammad ibn Isḥaq Abu Ya qub al Warraq 1970 Dodge Bayard ed The Fihrist of al Nadim a tenth century survey of Muslim culture New York amp London Columbia University Press pp 189 373 1066 Nadim al Abu al Faraj Muḥammad ibn Isḥaq 1872 Flugel Gustav ed Kitab al Fihrist in Arabic Leipzig F C W Vogel p 552 169 Thaʻalibi ʻAbd al Malik b Muḥ 1847 Dieterici Friedrich ed Mutanabbi und Seifuddaula aus der Edelperle Yatimat al dahr des Tsaalibi in German and Arabic Leipzig Fr Chr Wilh Vogel Wormhoudt Arthur trans The Diwan of Abu Tayyib Ahmad Ibn Al Husayn Al Mutanabbi Kazi 2002 ISBN 9781930637382See also EditSafa KhulusiExternal links Edit Arabic Wikisource has original text related to this article Al Mutanabbi Wikiquote has quotations related to Al Mutanabbi Al Mutanabbi The Greatest Arabic Poet Mutanabbi s poetry recited by Samar Traboulsi Almotanabbi com the complete collection of Mutanabbi s poems along with explanation Works by Al Mutanabbi at LibriVox public domain audiobooks Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Al Mutanabbi amp oldid 1136990032, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
