Ibn Ṭabāṭabā’s Poetics

In the history of Arabic literature, ‛amūd aš-šiʿr (the pillars or principles of poetry) is considered a control for the poetic activity, as well as being an important reference in classifying poets and measuring their abilities in their art. The theory is also considered one of the first critical issues that preoccupied poets and worked to establish standards and characteristics that the poet relies on so as not to deviate from the pattern followed by the ancients. This article deals with Ibn Ṭabāṭabā al-ʿAlawī’s treatise entitled ʿIyār aš-šiʿr (The Standard of Poetry). by analyzing his theoretical work and organizing the author’s thoughts. The article shows that Ibn Ṭabāṭabā systematized the knowledge and expectations related to the craft of poetry in the framework of ʿamūd aš-šiʿr. In the history of medieval Arabic criticism, Ibn Ṭabāṭabā occupies a position where he articulates a widely held view: namely, that poetry is ultimately a craft governed by established rules. In this way, he discusses the tools of poetry, the process of creating a poem, and also – in a unique way – the effect of poetic creation.