The Influence of Arabic Maqamat on Arabic and World Literature (A Critical Study)

Abstract

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the best of His servants, our Master Muhammad (peace be upon him), and upon those who follow him with righteousness until the Day of Judgment.

In this paper, the researcher examines the influence of the maqamat genre on both Arabic and world literature. The study of maqamat is by no means an easy task; these literary works stand as majestic and enduring monuments, rich with intricate dimensions and artistic complexity. They may be likened to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, reflecting the spirit of the Arabic language and the fragrance of its glorious heritage.

Maqamat constitute one of the treasures of Arabic literature and have attracted extensive scholarly attention throughout history. Numerous studies have addressed this genre, including, among others, The Art of Maqamat between the East and the West by Dr. Youssef Nour Awad (First Edition, 1979) and Human Models in Comparative Literary Studies by Dr. Muhammad Ghunaymi Hilal (2004).

The present paper focuses on the impact of maqamat on Arabic and world literature, particularly Western literature. Previous scholarly opinions motivated the researcher to investigate these views critically, either supporting them or offering alternative perspectives. Despite the limited time available, the researcher examined some of the most prominent Arabic maqamat, particularly those of Badiʿ al-Zamān al-Hamadhānī and Al-Hariri, seeking to present a new and independent perspective that both agrees with and differs from earlier studies.

The study adopts the analytical and inductive approaches. The findings indicate that maqamat are originally an Arabic literary form and that their earliest pioneer was Abu Uthman Al-Jahiz, who preceded Ibn Durayd. This conclusion supports the view of Muhammad Omar Al-Talib. The researcher further bases this argument on Al-Hamadhānī’s evident engagement with the writings of Al-Jahiz, to the extent that he composed the Jahiziyyah Maqāmah as a critical response to him.

Regarding Al-Hariri’s maqamat, the researcher finds that he was a careful and insightful reader of Al-Hamadhānī’s maqamat. Al-Hariri referred to the protagonists of Al-Hamadhānī’s narratives as unknown and unidentifiable figures, and it appears that he developed his own maqamat partly in response to those of Al-Hamadhānī. The study also identifies significant differences between the maqamat of Al-Hamadhānī and Al-Hariri on the one hand and those of Al-Zamakhshari on the other. Al-Zamakhshari concluded his maqamat with discussions of the Days of the Arabs, incorporating numerous narratives, traditions, and historical accounts related to Arab history.

It is hoped that this study will remain a useful scholarly contribution and a valuable resource for future generations. Heritage is not confined to clothing and food traditions; rather, it is also preserved through valuable books and peer-reviewed academic publications.