Introduction

Cover a word-by-word explanation of the Arabic of the Qasida al-Burda, a much-celebrated poem written in praise of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace).

The text will be explained from a grammatical, morphological, rhetorical, and prosodical point of view, and the historical and religious references will also be unpacked.

As an introduction to Arabic poetry, the course also introduces the concept of poetic metre. This is extremely important for the Arabist and Talib ilm as most of the literature that is used to explain the Quran and Sunna are in poem form.

The Burda has been chosen as a case study because it is one of the most common metres of Arabic poetry (al-basit), it demonstrates common rhetorical devices, and has a deeply spiritual and religious theme.

Course Outline

Lesson 1: The Original Burda; Poetic Metre

Lesson 2: Style and rhetoric in the Burda

Lesson 3: Chapter 1: On Yearning

Lesson 4: Chapter 2: On Warnings about the Caprices of the Self

Lesson 5: Chapter 3: On the Praise of the Prophet

Lesson 6: Chapter 4: On His Birth

Lesson 7: Chapter 5: On His Miracles

Lesson 8: Chapter 6: On the Exalted Stature and Miraculous Merits of the Qur’an

Lesson 9: Chapter 7: On the Ascension of the Prophet

Lesson 10: Chapter 8: On the Struggle of Allah’s Messenger

Lesson 11: Chapter 9: On Seeking Intercession through the Prophet

Lesson 12: Chapter 10: On Intimate Discourse and the Petition of One’s State.

What You Will Learn:

  • What poetic is
  • What poetic styles influences Imam al-Busiri’s Burda
  • How the poem translates line by line

About the Course Text

The poem is celebrated praise of the Prophet in poem form.