Elegy and its role in expressing family and social relationships

Abstract

This research addresses the purpose of elegy as one of the poetic themes that expressed feelings of sorrow and loss, and revealed the nature of familial and social relationships in Arab society, particularly during the early Islamic period. The study begins by defining elegy linguistically and terminologically, then traces its development from the pre-Islamic era—characterized by excessive grief and exaggeration—to the early Islamic period, which was marked by tenderness and restraint influenced by Islamic values that encouraged patience and acceptance of God’s will.

    The research focuses particularly on women’s elegies for their relatives, where their poetry demonstrated genuine emotion and passionate expression, reflecting the depth of family bonds. Notable examples include Fatimah al-Zahraa’s elegy for her father, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, as well as elegies for a husband, brother, or son in the poetry of Ibnat Hakim al-Abdiyyah, Umm Ubayd Allah, Khawla bint al-Azwar, and others.

    The study also highlights how elegy was not only a personal expression, but at times took on a communal character, reflecting the grief and solidarity of the group in the face of tragedy.

    Additionally, the research explores the key elements of elegy: lamentation, eulogy, and consolation—explaining the role each plays in expressing emotion and connecting personal loss with the social context. It concludes that elegy served as both a literary and human tool for expressing love, loyalty, and belonging, making it a mirror of the emotional and cultural structure of early Arab society. 

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