The Interplay of Narrative and Poetic Elements in the *Mu‘allaqa* of al-Nābighah al-Dhubyānī: A Critical Study of the Mechanisms of Narrative Formation

Abstract

his study aims to monitor “the interaction of narrative and poetry in Al-Nabigha Al-Dhubyani’s Mu’allaqa,” which is a critical study of the mechanisms of narrative formation. The study began after the introduction by presenting the five structures of the Mu’allaqa, and concluding what could be concluded through the initial reading of it. Then it dealt with: the narrator and his nature in it, the narrative event, the mechanisms of forming this event, and the narrative techniques. The conclusion came to highlight the most important results that the study reached. The research adopted a descriptive-analytical approach, occasionally drawing on other critical methods such as the historical and semiotic approaches. The study established that the Mu'allaqa does not represent a fully developed narrative structure, but rather a lyrical poem in which narrative was partially employed as a means of expressing the purpose behind its composition.

This *mu‘allaqa* (pre-Islamic ode) does not constitute a complete, evolving narrative structure; rather, it is a lyrical poem that occasionally employs storytelling—in a partial manner—as a means to express the underlying purpose for which the poem was composed. Consequently, it cannot be classified as a formal narrative work; instead, it contains narrative units that lack internal cohesion and progressive development. Furthermore, the mechanisms used to shape events—such as characters, time, and setting—as well as the techniques employed (dialogue and description), fail to meet the criteria required for narrative art.