"Analysis of Selection Criteria in the Book Masarī‘ al-‘Ushshāq by Ibn al-Sarrāj al-Baghdādī (d. 316 AH(sad) A Study in Light of Electronic Digitalization

Abstract

This study sought to reveal the role of digitization in analyzing the selection criteria adopted by Ibn al-Sarrāj in constructing his literary anthologies, through a methodological approach that combined qualitative analysis with statistical reading of the texts. The study demonstrated that literary taste constituted a fundamental basis in the process of selection, as it became evident that Ibn al-Sarrāj was keen on choosing texts of artistic and aesthetic value, whether by pioneering figures of Arabic poetry or by lesser-known poets. This indicates that Ibn al-Sarrāj possessed a critical awareness that went beyond the criterion of circulation and popularity alone. The digital analysis also showed that the criterion of fame functioned as a relatively influential factor in selection, without being absolute or decisive. The study further examined the spatial dimension of his selections, showing that Ibn al-Sarrāj relied on the diversity of geographical and cultural environments, incorporating into his work texts representing multiple regions. This reflects the breadth of his familiarity with Arab poetry across different territories, as well as a varied temporal span, and indicates that his selections were not confined to a narrow spatial or chronological framework. Digitization enabled a more precise and objective organization and analysis of these criteria, as well as the tracking of patterns of preference in selection. This made it possible to reread Maṣāriʿ al-ʿUshshāq through a scientific, data-driven approach alongside critical aesthetic judgment. The study concludes that digitization is not merely a technical tool, but rather a supportive methodological framework that contributed to deepening the understanding of selection mechanisms and revealing the artistic and cultural dimensions governing Ibn al-Sarrāj’s literary taste.