Islamic Devotional Poetry

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

This course will focus on the Arab-Islamic tradition of praise poems to the Prophet Muhammad, particularly as acts of supplication in the devotional practice of Muslims, and as they respond to the political and cultural circumstances of their times. It will also explore the ways in which madih nabawi transforms into poetic expression key episodes from the life of the Prophet: his birth, his miracles, the Night Journey and Ascencion, etc. We will begin with the three celebrated Mantle Odes of Ka’b ibn Zuhayr from the time of the Prophet; al-Būṣīrī from the medieval period; and Ahmad Shawqi from the early 20 th century. We will then turn to the rich variety of poems to the Prophet and their performance, such as recitations, manuscripts, poetic elaborations, colloquial Arabic and aljamiado poems, video recordings. The final couple of weeks of the semester will be devoted to individual projects. Students with a knowledge of other Islamicate languages are welcome to explore the madih nabawi tradition in those as well. Assignments will be divided according to students’ levels and interests. Class will be conducted partly in English and partly in Arabic.