Poets
الشُّعَرَاءُ
In Islamic tradition, the figure of the poet (الشُّعَرَاءُ) carries a complex and nuanced significance. While poetry is a cherished form of expression, the Quran offers important guidance regarding its nature and impact. Early critics of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ often tried to dismiss his revelation by labeling him a poet, as seen in verses like [And it is not the word of a poet; little do you believe], thereby associating the divine message with mere human invention. Generally, the Quran cautions against poets whose words might deviate from truth and righteousness, stating, [And the poets - [only] the deviators follow them]. This often refers to those who indulge in fabricating stories, making empty boasts, or misleading people with eloquent but deceptive speech, often saying what they do not do. However, Islam does not condemn poetry outright. A beautiful and vital distinction is made for those poets who employ their talent in service of faith and good. The Quran praises [those [poets] who believe and do righteous deeds and remember Allah often and defend [the Muslims] after they were wronged]. These are individuals whose verse inspires piety, upholds justice, praises God, and defends the truth, making their art a blessed endeavor. Thus, the Islamic perspective distinguishes between poetry that misleads and that which elevates, encouraging the latter as a powerful tool for guidance and moral upliftment.
Quran 5 verses
بَلْ قَالُوٓا۟ أَضْغَٰثُ أَحْلَٰمٍۭ بَلِ ٱفْتَرَىٰهُ بَلْ هُوَ شَاعِرٌ فَلْيَأْتِنَا بِـَٔايَةٍ كَمَآ أُرْسِلَ ٱلْأَوَّلُونَ
Bal qaalooo adghaasu ahlaamim balif taraahu bal huwa shaa'irun falyaatinaa bi Aayatin kamaa ursilal awwaloon
But they say, "[The revelation is but] a mixture of false dreams; rather, he has invented it; rather, he is a poet. So let him bring us a sign just as the previous [messengers] were sent [with miracles]."
بلکہ (ظالم) کہنے لگے کہ (یہ قرآن) پریشان (باتیں ہیں جو) خواب (میں دیکھ لی) ہیں۔ (نہیں) بلکہ اس نے اس کو اپنی طرف سے بنا لیا ہے (نہیں) بلکہ (یہ شعر ہے جو اس) شاعر (کا نتیجہٴ طبع) ہے۔ تو جیسے پہلے (پیغمبر نشانیاں دے کر) بھیجے گئے تھے (اسی طرح) یہ بھی ہمارے پاس کوئی نشانی لائے
Commentary
وَٱلشُّعَرَآءُ يَتَّبِعُهُمُ ٱلْغَاوُۥنَ
Washshu 'araaa'u yattabi 'uhumul ghaawoon
And the poets - [only] the deviators follow them;
اور شاعروں کی پیروی گمراہ لوگ کیا کرتے ہیں
Commentary
إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ وَذَكَرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًا وَٱنتَصَرُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا ظُلِمُوا۟ وَسَيَعْلَمُ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوٓا۟ أَىَّ مُنقَلَبٍ يَنقَلِبُونَ
Illal lazeena aamanoo w a'amilus saalihaati wa zakarul laaha kaseeranw wantasaroo mim ba'di maa zulimoo; wa saya'lamul lazeena zalamooo aiya munqalbiny yanqaliboon
Except those [poets] who believe and do righteous deeds and remember Allah often and defend [the Muslims] after they were wronged. And those who have wronged are going to know to what [kind of] return they will be returned.
مگر جو لوگ ایمان لائے اور نیک کام کئے اور خدا کو بہت یاد کرتے رہے اور اپنے اوپر ظلم ہونے کے بعد انتقام لیا اور ظالم عنقریب جان لیں گے کہ کون سی جگہ لوٹ کر جاتے ہیں
Commentary
أَمْ يَقُولُونَ شَاعِرٌ نَّتَرَبَّصُ بِهِۦ رَيْبَ ٱلْمَنُونِ
Am yaqooloona shaa'irun natarabbasu bihee raibal manoon
Or do they say [of you], "A poet for whom we await a misfortune of time?"
کیا کافر کہتے ہیں کہ یہ شاعر ہے (اور) ہم اس کے حق میں زمانے کے حوادث کا انتظار کر رہے ہیں
Commentary
وَمَا هُوَ بِقَوْلِ شَاعِرٍ قَلِيلًا مَّا تُؤْمِنُونَ
Wa ma huwa biqawli shaa'ir; qaleelam maa tu'minoon
And it is not the word of a poet; little do you believe.
اور یہ کسی شاعر کا کلام نہیں۔ مگر تم لوگ بہت ہی کم ایمان لاتے ہو
Commentary
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