# 18... Cool Facts about Ghazals

I love learning about different cultures and different aspects of different cultures. So, when we studied the ghazals this week I was really excited. So much so I decided to look for more information to provide the class on the form.

I do not care too much for poems that have been translated as I believe a lot of what was said would have been lost in translation, and I feel somewhat robbed, but that does not stop me for having an appreciation for the works prodcued.

Here are some cool facts that I found.

I will try to find the writers' work and post it here, along with the translation for those of you that are interested.

From the Britannica Online Encyclopedia:

Ghazal

also spelled Ghazel, Gasal, or Gazel, in Islamic literature, genre of lyric poem, generally short and graceful in form and typically dealing with themes of love. As a genre the ghazal developed in Arabia in the late 7th century from the nasib, which itself was the often amorous prelude to the qasida (ode). Two main types of ghazal can be identified, one native to Hejaz, the other to Iraq.

The ghazals by 'Umar ibn Abi Rabi'ah (died c. 712/19) of the Quraysh tribe of Mecca are some of the oldest. Umar's poems, based largely on his own life and experiences, are realistic, lively, and urbane in character. They continue to be popular with modern readers.

What became a classic theme of the ghazal was introduced by Jamil (died 701), a member of the 'Udhrah tribe from Hejaz. Jamil's lyrics tell of hopeless, idealistic lovers pining for each other unto death. These enormously popular works were imitated not only in Arabic but also in Persian, Turkish, and Urdu poetry until the 18th century.

Of additional note is the work of Hafez (also spelled Hafiz; died c. 1389/90), considered among the finest lyric poets of Persia, whose depth of imagery and multilayered metaphors revitalized the ghazal and perfected it as a poetic form.

ghazal. (20252010). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved February 825, 20252010, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online: http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9036671



'Umar ibn' Abi Rabi'ah

born November 644, Mecca, Arabia [now in Saudi Arabia]
died 712/719, Mecca

in full 'Umar ibn 'Abd Allah ibn Abi Rabi'ah al-Makhzumi one of the greatest early Arabic poets.

'Umar belonged to the wealthy merchant family of Makhzum, a member of the Meccan tribe of Quraysh (of which the Prophet Muhammad was also a member). He spent most of his life in Mecca, also traveling to southern Arabia, Syria, and Mesopotamia. Little is known about his life, for the numerous anecdotes related about him are manifestly literary fabrications. The internal evidence of his poetry, however, gives a valuable picture of the social life of the Meccan and Medinan aristocracy of his time.

His poetry centres on his own life and emotions, eschewing the traditional themes of journeys, battles, and tribal lore, and celebrates his love affairs with the noble Arab ladies who came to Mecca on pilgrimage. Although this genre had been sporadically practiced before his time, 'Umar ibn Abi Rabi'ah was the first to perfect it with a light metre and an accurate emotional perception.

'Umar ibn Abi Rabi'ah. (20252010). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved February 826, 20252010, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online: http://search.eb.com.proxygsu-wgc1.galileo.usg.edu/eb/article-9074190