Studies on Arabic Language and Literature

Abstract Being inspired by the human heritage is of the most prominent features of the modern Arabic poetry, which has outstandingly featured in the Palestinian resistance poems. So, it is not an exaggeration if we maintain that this poetry has been deeply affected by the religious heritage of its context, as religion holds a significant place in the consciousness of the Arabs particularly the Palestinians. Therefore, the poems of Samih-ul-Qasim as one of the pioneers of Palestinian resistance literature must be supported and informed by religious ideas either directly or indirectly, like the other literary figures of this land. The present research examines, descriptively and analytically, the religious heritage as reflected in the poetical works of this poet. Also, it evaluates his ability and the extent of the correspondence his work with the religious heritage. It is concluded that the poet has a great ability and skill in connecting the past and the present and taking benefit from human heritage to enrich his work of literature.

Abstract Syntactic analogies are so ubiquitous that they permeate all areas of syntax. This ubiquity has added to the increasing significance of syntactic studies. It would have been a positive stride if early syntactic scholars had provided a sound framework for syntactic analogies and their evaluation and had reached a consensus as to how to observe and follow the conditions entailed by them so that later scholars could have followed the set criteria without flouting the syntactic rules. Unfortunately, no such consensus is reported to have been reached. For this reason, syntax suffered from too many views about its rules, which stemmed from faulty analogies. This article deals with the most important conditions and rules for sound analogy and traces analogy in original early texts. There is no doubt that following sound analogies plays a big role in redressing mistakes resulting from faulty analogies and diminishes differences over syntactic rules. If this scholarly program is implemented, syntax is relieved from the swamp it is entangled in and interested scholars will find a paved way for further progress. This great endeavor is one way to facilitate the scientific study of syntax and revive the messages in the works of great scholars, an endeavor which can be undertaken only by people with expertise in syntactic principles.

Abstract The miraculous effect of the Quran and its inclusion of the whole range of meanings have long been noted by the researchers who have tried to remove any doubt and reservation over the meanings. Most of these researches have concentrated on the rhetorical aspects of the Quran or investigated different interpretations, ignoring the miraculous nature of the book in their critical analyses. New critical approaches to text, such as Russian Formalism, Surrealism, the Prague School have played a significant role in the rise of the new rhetoric and stylistics. One of the most remarkable techniques is disfamiliarization, through which the overall emphasis is placed on the element of surprise and breaking away from the established criteria. The advances in techniques of interpretations made some critics think that Arabic Literature is bereft of new concepts and Arabic-texts criticism is out of date. The present article aims to put emphasis on the miraculous nature of the holy book by examining examples of Quranic texts in the light three types of disfamiliarization: substitution, integration, and phonetics. The significance of the study would only be revealed when we consider the large distance which lies between the time and place of the revelation of the Quran and those of various critical approaches. The overall conclusion is that the magnificent words of God are filled with disfamiliarization and beautiful literary suggestions.

Abstract Some playwrights have thrown light on the central Arab challenge, the Arab–Israeli conflict. But, they differ in their portrayal of the Jewish character due to their different levels of struggle with Israel. Whereas some of them consider all Jews enemies and take a hostile attitude toward all Jewish people, others take a positive attitude towards the Jews but a negative one toward the Zionists on the ground that Judaism is not the same as Zionism. Generally speaking, the Arabic writings about the Jews are heavily influenced by the European literature, which shows the Jewish character as a man whom we can see in the Merchant of Venice by Shakespeare. In this play we find Shylock, a major Jewish character, ready to do anything for the sake of making money without experiencing any feeling of guilt. Other playwrights, such as Saad Allah Wannous, chose a critical level of the conflict, namely the intifada of the Palestinian people, which took place in 1989. The intifada united the Palestinian people in one front against the Zionist enemy to attain freedom and liberation, having failed in the military confrontation. They contend that the present situation in the Arab–Israeli conflict encourages the Zionist greed, and helps the hostile intentions the American imperialism, which is a supporter of Israel. These playwrights state that peace treaties with Israel and the U.S. are vague, and augur wars and bloodshed.

Abstract This paper tries to introduce contemporary Omani prose fiction, focusing on the origins and formation as well the development, experimentation and modernization of the Omani narrative literature. It also deals with the aesthetic and intellectual aspects of stories, and traces the changes that they have undergone, as manifested in the works of Omani writers at various stages of the development of this genre. This study does not focus on any particular style in story writing and it does not take any particular approach in the investigation but attempts to use multiple methods in looking closely into the latest developments in the contemporary Omani story.

Abstract This study is concerned with the analysis of critical writings of the poetess “Nazek Al-Malaeka”, as of the spread of free poetry, or blank verse, and the factors which influenced her critical mind. Nazek felt guilty towards the modern poetry having noticed too many poetical weaknesses which, according to her, were enough to spoil the mentality of wide populations with religious, traditional and patriotic beliefs. But her vision was not clear and deep enough, in a large part as she ignored the positive points and merits of modern poetry. She just distrusted the modernists and accused them of betraying their religion, home and mother tongue. She tried to create obstacles for modern poetry and predicting its doom, which did not come true.

Abstract This article deals with the eulogistic from of Abutamam at Abbasid Period. First, it is discusses his life, which includes his creativity and talents in literature. Then, some examples are provided to support the claims about his amazing innovations. Thus, we easily recognize that he was a great literary creator. As his name is mentioned as one of the best poet in history, we briefly explore and mention his innovations in literature as below:
1. He purposefully brought new items together with many branches of knowledge of his period.
3. His desire to epic poetry in eulogizing the characters of his poems, especially in describing battles.
3. Offering his eulogies to the praised characters after praising his own poetry.
4. Incarnation of heroes and personification of objects in his epic poems.
5. Adding descriptive information about the characters resorting to previous literary works and using subtle witty wise points
.