Artistic and Semantic Developments in Prophetic Praise Poetry: A Comparative Study of the Classical and Modern Periods

Abstract

This study addresses the importance of prophetic praise in Arabic poetry and traces the development of this art form from classical to modern times through the personality of the Prophet (peace be upon him), who has served since the early years of the Islamic mission as a central focus of Arabic poetry, one of the oldest and most prestigious Arab arts.
The personality of the Prophet (peace be upon him) has consistently been a primary subject of one of the most important Arabic poetic genres: religious poetry, which deals with themes of divine oneness, divine love, and praise of the Prophet and his household. While the beginnings of prophetic praise date back to the early years of the Hijra, this art form evolved over time through the works of numerous poets across Islamic history, eventually becoming an independent genre with its own characteristics and methods. Today, prophetic praise constitutes one of the most significant literary arts in modern Islamic societies.