Recez Şairi Ebu’n-Necm el-ʻİclî’nin Hayatı, Edebî Kişiliği ve Şiirleri
The Life, Literary Character and Poetry of the Rajaz Poet Abū al-Najm al-ʻIjlī

Summary/Abstract: This study aims to examine the life, literary personality, and poetic approach of Abū al-Najm al-ʻIjlī (d. 130/748), one of the prominent rajaz poets of Umayyad-era Arabic literature. Within this scope, the study focuses on the following research questions: “What is the place of Abū al-Najm al-ʻIjlī within the rajaz tradition in Arabic literature, and which themes and subjects are prominent in his poetry?” Rajaz is considered the oldest metre in Arabic poetry, initially characterized by its improvised nature, its limited verse structure, and reflection of spontaneous reactions. However, over time, rajaz evolved in both form and content, transforming into a more extended, comprehensive, and literary genre known as urjūza. During this development, Abū al-Najm al-ʻIjlī, together with his contemporaries al-ʻAjjāj (d. 97/715) and Ru’ba b. al-ʻAjjāj (d. 145/762), emerged as one of the three key poets who elevated the rajaz form to a literary level. His dīwān, reflecting his literary identity, poetic approach, and the thematic and formal developments he contributed to the rajaz genre, has served as a fundamental reference for researchers in both classical and modern periods. His poems attract attention not only for their literary features but also for their reflections of the social structure, cultural values, and political climate of his time. Abū al-Najm al-ʻIjlī established close relationships with caliphs such as ʻAbd al-Malik b. Marwān (d. 86/705), Sulaymān b. ʻAbd al-Malik (d. 99/717), and particularly Hishām b. ʻAbd al-Malik (d. 125/743), as well as with governors such as al-Ḥajjāj b. Yūsuf al-Thaqafī (d. 95/714) and Khālid b. ʻAbd Allāh al-Qasrī (d. 126/743). He earned their appreciation through his improvisational poetry recited in their courts. His humorous tone, witty remarks, and quick-witted style also brought him widespread popularity among the public. His poems have been frequently cited in lexicographical and grammatical sources as well as in various classical works. Despite Abū al-Najm al-ʻIjlī’s significant position in Arabic literature, the absence of a dedicated academic study on him in Türkiye indicates that research on his works is necessary and valuable for the field of rajaz studies. Accordingly, the study was conducted using the document analysis method based on the examination of classical and modern sources. The introduction of this study discusses the lexical meaning, emergence, structural characteristics, and historical development of the rajaz form, along with a review of the relevant literature. The first section provides information about Abū al-Najm al-ʻIjlī’s lineage, family, and the environment in which he lived. The second section examines his literary status through the perspectives of Arabic linguists, his literary rivalry with contemporary poets, and his relationships with rulers within literary gatherings of the period. One of the main focuses of the article is the thematic diversity within his dīwān. Accordingly, the third section outlines the historical process of the compilation of his dīwān and provides a thematic analysis of selected verses focusing on themes such as wasf (description), madh (praise), hijā’ (satire), fakhr (boasting), and hikma (wisdom). In conclusion, Abū al-Najm al-ʻIjlī played a decisive role in the development of rajaz poetry within Umayyad-era Arabic literature. With his compelling poetic language, improvisational skill, and unique style, he gained wide recognition and prestige among rulers, the public, and literary circles alike. The use of his poetry as examples in various sources in addition to their literary value demonstrates that he is regarded as a distinguished poet within the classical Arabic literary tradition.

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