The Loyal Discourse in the Poetry of Al-Kumayt Ibn Zayd al-Asadi: A Study in the Mechanisms of Persuasion and the Aesthetics of Reception

Abstract

This study examines the loyalist discourse in the poetry of Al-Kumait ibn Zayd al-Asadi (60-126 AH/679-743 AD), one of the most prominent poets of the Umayyad era. He was famous for his Hashemite poems, which reflected his deep loyalty to the Prophet's family and his defense of their right to the caliphate amidst the political and religious conflicts of his time. The study aims to analyze the persuasive mechanisms used by    Al-Kumait in constructing his poetic discourse, focusing on rhetorical and argumentative strategies such as logical reasoning, emotional language, poetic imagery, and linguistic rhythms that contributed to enhancing the impact of his poems on audiences. The study also explores the aesthetics of reception by examining the interaction between the poetic text and the audience, analyzing how these texts were received within their historical and cultural contexts, and the psychological and intellectual impact they had on the recipient.

The study adopts a critical analytical approach that combines rhetorical and contextual analysis, examining selected texts from Al-Kumait's collection of poems to understand how he employed language and poetic imagery in the service of loyalist discourse. The study includes an analysis of rhetorical devices such as metaphor, simile, and alliteration, and how they contributed to highlighting the poet's political and ideological stance. It also examines the historical context of the Umayyad era, including the conflict between the Umayyads and the Hashemites, to understand how this context shaped al-Kumayt's discourse and influenced its reception.

One of the most notable findings is that al-Kumayt succeeded in crafting a poetic discourse that blends logical argument with passionate emotion, making his poems an effective tool for political advocacy and expression of ideological identity. The study also demonstrates that the aesthetics of reception in his poetry depend on his ability to stimulate the imagination through innovative poetic imagery and the use of language rich in emotional and religious connotations that strengthened the recipient's connection to the text. The study confirms that al-Kumayt's poetry was not merely a literary expression, but rather a means of intellectual and political mobilization, as the poet was able to balance ideological commitment with artistic creativity, making his poems influential across the ages.