Two top literary figures from Lucknow — Rabab Rasheedi, a noted poet and scholar, and professor Ismat Malihabadi — lauded Pakistani poet Khursheed Rizvi for his latest research in the history of classical Arabic poetry before Islam. Both these literary giants are doyens of the Lucknow school of literature and poetry.
Rizvi’s book “Arabi Adab Qabl Az-Islam” (Arabic Literature Before Islam) was released by Rasheedi, who compared his research with the works of Allama Shibli Nomani and Maulana Syed Sulaiman Nadvi.
Malihabadi, in his speech, compared Rizvi’s research to that of Maulana Abdul Razzaq. He also highlighted the importance of Arabic poetry and said that it is the mirror of Arab society.
Syed Sami Ahmad, a surgeon and a connoisseur of Persian and Urdu literature, recollected Allama Iqbal’s works and with his Persian couplet reminded the audience of Rizvi's efforts in serving Arabic literature by preserving the history of Jahiliyyah poetry and literature.
Muhammad Mujahid Syed, host of the event, in his detailed book review compared this book to R.A. Nicholson’s “A Literary History of the Arabs.” He highlighted the salient features of the book and said Rizvi has tried to correct most of the mistakes of the Orientalists and has reflected Jahiliyyah literature’s history in a correct perspective.
The details regarding Jahiliyyah poets’ biographies, topography, climate of Arabian Peninsula and literary traditions of Arabic literature before Islam are provided in such a systematic way that this book rivals great works of the Western Orientalists and is now a valuable addition to Urdu literature treasure trove.
Rizvi, learned scholar, researcher and poet, in his enlightening address told the audience that there were many reasons that prompted him to write this book. One of them was that Nicholson’s book comprised only a single volume and has covered the literary side of the subject more than the historical aspect largely due to Nicholson’s inclination toward literature. Rizvi said that like Brown’s “A Literary History of Persia,” Nicholson should have covered this topic at least in four volumes. Nicholson’s brevity needed some more elucidations especially for non-Arab readers. “That was the main reason behind my research,” Rizvi, who said.
Syed Sami Ahmad in his brief but interesting address praised Rizvi’s research on classical Arabic literature and poetry. He hoped that the Arab world would take notice of this book, which is a valuable record of the golden days of Arabic literature.
Rasheedi presided over the mushaira (Urdu poetry) in the second session, while Rizvi and Malihabadi were the chief guests. Local Indian and Pakistani poets Faisal Tufail, Zamurrad Saifee, Irfan Barabankwi, Abdul Qayyum Wasiq, Nasir Barni, Anwer Ansari, Athar Abbasi and Syed regaled the audience with their sonorous and lucid ghazals. Rizvi and senior Indian poet Rasheedi stole the show with their thought-provoking and sentimental poems. Muhammad Imbesat Syed recited some verses of the Qur’an. Syed Masood Abbasi, Pakistani classical singer, recited the naat.
