SOAS Research Online

Abstract

The present thesis consists of two parts : an introduction and an edition of the book Nadrat Al-Ighrid by Al-Muzaffar Ibn Al-Fadl. The first part of the introduction surveys the political and the cultural conditions during that era. It shows the interest in literary criticism in the sixth and seventh centuries and how it is influenced by the political and social conditions. The second part of the introduction is on the anther himself, his ancestry birth and upbringing, and his relation with al-Wazir Ibn Al-Alqami. After that comes the description of the book and its content. It consists of five chapters. The first Chapter deals mainly with the definition of poetry, its motives, conditions and rules. Chapter two deals with poetical licence: what the poet is allowed and forbidden to use. The third Chapter talks about the merits and impressive qualities of poetry and its impact on the heart. Chapter four deals with the pros and cons of poetry and whether it is better to write poetry or avoid it. Finally, Chapter five deals with what the poet must want, avoid or insist upon. After reviewing the five chapters, some important observations of the book are stated along with the distinguishing features of the book. The last part of the introduction is devoted to the description of the extant copies of Nadrat Al-Ighrid and a brief account of the methods adopted in, producing the presentedition. The second part of this thesis is the Arabic text edited and based on the most ancient and appropriate copies of the book with footnotes, comments and all necessary explanations.