History of Arabic Literature

The history of Arabic literature is not merely a chronicle of the origins of words and styles; it is a living record of the progress of Arab thought since the earliest times. Through language, civilization arose, Arab genius was revealed in poetry, rhetoric, and writing, and landmarks of science and art were established. This work takes the reader on a cognitive journey that spans time, beginning with a definition of the Arabic language and its origins, passing through the first books written in it. It then reviews the development of writing and calligraphy, including letter systems and punctuation, and the calligraphy sciences that shaped the identity of Arabic texts. It also delves into the history of poetry as the Arabs' anthology, analyzing its various arts, documenting its collections and its most prominent figures. It does not stop at literature alone, but extends to the linguistic sciences that established the foundations of eloquence, from grammar and morphology to prosody and rhyme, and from rhetoric in its three branches to the arts of composition and lectures, tracing their impact on shaping Arab literary taste. Between the covers of this book, language, literature, and history converge in a narrative that reflects the evolution of Arab thought and its methods of expression. It serves as a reference for anyone seeking to explore the deep roots of the Arabic language and for every reader seeking to understand the creative process in its literature and arts.