An Analysis of Ka’b Ben Zuhair’s poem “Al-Lamiya”

Abstract

Ka’b Ben Zuhair’s poem “Al-Lamiya” consists of three scenes: The Opening scene the she-Camel scene and the subject matter scene. This pa­per endeavored to illustrate the significanceoftheseartisticscenesonthepoet’s psyche who at the time of composing the poem was experiencing criti­cal psychological conditions standing him half way between Jahiliyah and Islam, between life and death, after he found himself at his wit’s end in his relationship with Jahili life. He found himself besieged within himself after the political wall had fallen down which he had counted on to protect himself. Ben Zuhair seemed confused and ambivalent in his senses. He became prone to severe state of anxiety and tension. He found himself unable to alienate himself once and for all from his belonging to Jahiliyah camp, inspite of his public declaration of embracing Islam and his conviction in the values of the then new religion. He had then to practice his new convictions or beliefs. He showed himself as a new comer from Jahiliyah, from its images, structures, language, horses and its artistic structure. Given his artistic talent, Ka’b was able to win Prophet Mohammed’s sympathy and forgiveness. Late, Ka’b became a constructive element in the then new Islamic society.