The theory of rhyme according to Diya' al-Din Ibn al-Athir

Abstract

              I have outlined on the paper space of this research the most important types of verbal embellishments that were famous in the pre-Islamic era، as sermons clearly depended on it، as it was of great importance in the study of rhetoric and its subject was addressed by many interested in rhetoric، and Ibn Al-Athir، who died in the year (637 AH) mentioned it in his book (Al-Mathal Al-Sa’ir fi Adab Al-Katib wa Al-Sha’ir)، who gave it great importance so that his theory of Saj’a constituted a milestone in the study of rhetoric، as it is one of the theories that avoided affectation، and he considered Saj’a the highest degree of speech، and in this regard، he relied on the eloquence of the Qur’anic and Prophetic evidence in his book. This study dealt with Saj’a from a linguistic and terminological perspective، and its types were mentioned in general، then moved to explaining the concept from Ibn Al-Athir’s perspective and explaining his preference، then the study was summarized with results that were the final outcome of the research. Rhyme is among the earliest rhetorical devices known, predating Islam, i.e., the pre-Islamic era. Speeches were structured around it, and it facilitated memorization.. In fact, when comparing the linguistic and technical definitions of rhyme, we find that they converge on a single point: rhyme in prose is like rhyme in poetry.