Prophetic praises in the poetry of Abd al-Rahim al-Borai (d. 803 AH)

Abstract

      Prophetic praise is an art of poetry propagated by Sufism. It is a form of expression of religious emotions, and a chapter of high literature that can only come from hearts full of honesty and sincerity. Al-Burai is one of the most important poets of Yemen who lived in the eighth century AH, and he presented to us poems that reflect his poetic ability in Various topics, but the Sufi trend was the one that prevailed in his poems, represented by the prophetic praises that he composed for the most prominent human figure, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Therefore, we decided to study this important poetic purpose in his collections and find out the meanings and ideas that he included in his poems. Poets have relied on Prophetic praise for the Prophet’s biography in explaining the virtues that were specific to the Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Al-Bura’i was not the only poet or the first to praise the person of the Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Rather, Ka’b ibn Zuhair, Hassan ibn Thabit, and other poets of the Islamic era preceded him, but Focusing on the praises of Al-Burai because the poet is one of the Sufi poets of Yemen, it remains to note that the prophetic praises did not stop at the borders of that era, but rather continued to this day despite the absence of the one praised.