The Viewpoint of the Prophet – Peace be Upon him – from Poetry

Abstract

This research dealt with a two-fold topic related to literature and religion and tried to reveal a case that occupied the attention of the old and modern scholars. Some of them went to say that the Prophet - peace be upon him - fought poetry and poets, while some others went to say that the Prophet - peace be upon him - loved and encouraged poetry; He said: Arabs would not abandon poetry until the camel abandons nostalgia. It is well known that the position of the Prophet - peace be upon him - was consistent with the position of the Quran as far as poetry is concerned.Through research and scrutiny, the researcher found that the Holy Quran deemed the Prophet - peace be upon him – far above being a poet, but did not prevent poetry and did not stand against it in general. The poets whom the Quran and the Prophet - peace be upon him - fought are the poets of infidels who fought Islam and abused the honors and spread defects. Considering the Prophet – peace be upon him – far above saying poetry is a confirmation of the truth of the Message he came with; it is not derogation from poetry and poets. The Holy Quran has exempted the righteous believing poets from dispraise, and so did the Prophet - peace be upon him. Even the Prophet - peace be upon him – had nice remarks and wonderful comments about some of the poets' verses, although they were pre-Islamic poets, because they uttered wisdom, good advice and truth. Poetry is not self-denying, because it is a kind of speech, as good as good speech, and as ugly as ugly speech. Therefore, his position- peace be upon him- was not an absolute position, but was restricted by the necessities required by his mission, which speaks of truth, wisdom and faith, and calls for good and fighting falsehood.