The Phenomenon of Poetry in the Old Maghrebian Literary Criticism: the Case of Ibrahim bin Ishaq Al-Husari

Abstract

The phenomenon of poetry has for so long been the focus of old and new Arabic criticism. Many critics had attempted to unveil its complexities that have a great impact on the reader. This impact varies between taste, irritation, astonishment,bewilderment, and questioning that is represented deep in the human self as a form of reverberations leading to so much agitation. The latter is usually a reaction to inner feelings and emotions. Besides, the poet relies on his emotional state and translates it into poetic images to express human issues and concerns. Because poetry has some artistic characteristics different
other literary genres, many old Maghrebian critics and men of letters, like Ibrahim bin Ishaq Al-Husari in his book Zahr Al-adab wa Ahamar Al'albab, have endeavoured to delve into its essence, importance, and narrators. Thus, the present study examines the critical concepts that Al-Husari employed in interpreting poetry.