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The famous Arabic poet, “Mutanabbi”
Compiled by: Syed Ali Shahbaz
On 24th of the Islamic month of Ramadhan in 354 AH, the famous Arabic poet, Ahmad bin Hassan Kufi, known popularly by his penname “Mutanabbi”, was killed near Baghdad during an encounter with highway brigands, at the age of 51 years. Gifted with sharp intelligence and wittiness, he started writing poetry when he was nine years old.
Among the topics he focused upon were courage, the philosophy of life, and the description of battles. Many of his poems were and still are widely read in today's Arab world. His great talent earned him respect from many political leaders of his time. He praised those leaders and kings in return for money and gifts.
He joined the court of Sayf od-Dowla in Aleppo and during his 9-year stay in Syria versified his greatest and most famous poems. There was great rivalry between Mutanabbi and many scholars and poets at Sayf od-Dowla's court, including the latter’s cousin and brother-in-law, Abu Firas al-Hamdani.
He lost Sayf od-Dowla's favour because of his political ambition to be a governor or statesman. He had no other choice but to leave Aleppo heading toward Egypt, where he joined the court of Abu’l-Misk Kafur. Here also he failed in his political ambitions and left Egypt for Iraq after heavily criticizing Abu’l-Misk Kafur with satirical odes.
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