The Lamentation Poetry and its Significance in the Ṣadr al-Islām Period

Abstract

This study aims to analyze rithā’ poetry, which holds a significant place in the literary production of the Ṣadr al-Islām (early Islamic) period. To this end, literary works of the period, especially poems, will be carefully scrutinized, while tracing the development process of rithā’ poems, identifying the themes and topics covered, and exploring the prominent poets of the genre. Additionally, the historical and social context of the period, which played a pivotal role in the emergence and evolution of rithā’ poems, will be taken into account. Therefore, sources that shed light on the political, social, and cultural structures of the period will also be examined. The study will also investigate different perspectives and interpretations of rithā’ poems and conduct an extensive analysis of the literary understanding and values of the period. The outcomes of this study will demonstrate that rithā’ poetry not only embodies a literary genre but also serves as a mirror reflecting the social, cultural, and aesthetic values of the Ṣadr al-Islām period. This research, characterized by its circumscribed purview, which solely emphasizes the examination of poetic compositions from the Ṣadru’l-Islām era, sets itself apart from extant scholarly inquiries on the topic, thereby enriching the academic discourse.