Syntactic Irregularities in Predicative Sentence Structures in the Poetry of Ibn Khātima al-Anṣārī (d. 770 AH)

Abstract

Poetry is distinguished by its eloquent and rhythmic language, relying heavily on deepening the impact of the idea conveyed by the poet. As is well known, the language of poetry is characterized by conciseness, semantic density, suggestion, and imagination, among other features. With such qualities, it is only natural that poetry does not consistently adhere to conventional grammatical structures—particularly predicative sentences, which are the focus of this study. Conveying the expressive power of poetic language often requires flexibility in the application of grammatical rules, without compromising the essence or integrity of those rules.

Linguists and grammarians established grammatical rules to ensure structural precision and word formation, allowing meaning to be conveyed accurately and smoothly, avoiding misinterpretation. At the same time, they provided space for broader, richer meanings and deeper ideas through certain linguistic elements or structures that integrate into the grammatically sound sentence without violating or disrupting the grammatical framework. These elements are as essential as the meanings or effects they aim to enhance, even though they are not inherently required by the core rules of predicative syntax. This means they are syntactic modifiers, and they are numerous and varied. These include: additions, omissions, inversions, and separations, among others. Each plays a significant role in the structure of a text—whether poetic or prose.

Our applied field of study was the Diwan (poetic collection) of Ibn Khātimah al-Anṣārī al-Andalusī, as edited and annotated by Dr. Muhammad Ridwan al-Dayah. Ibn Khātimah possessed a unique poetic sensibility shaped by a religious culture influenced by the Sufi tendencies prevalent among a group of Andalusian scholars and preachers at the time—especially considering that many of them were his teachers. Thus, the impact of this influence on his poetry is natural.

We selected examples from his Diwan in hopes of clarifying the effect of syntactic modifiers on the predicative sentences he employed, and their significance in reinforcing meaning and conveying it eloquently. In doing so, we adopted an analytical methodology based, in its simplest form, on collecting available data, analyzing and interpreting it, then offering critique and evaluation, with the aim of reaching precise conclusions and clear interpretations.