Dzil Majaz: Journal of Arabic Literature

Echoes of Grief: The Semiotics of Dove Lamentation in Umayyad Poetry

Hajir Mahmoud Ali, Dilam Kahdim Sahal — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigates the symbolic and semiotic dimensions of the mourning dove in selected Umayyad poetry, focusing on its emotional, cultural, and spiritual connotations. The research is grounded in the problem of how symbols from nature—especially birds—are used to convey complex psychological and emotional states in early Arabic poetic expression. While the dove has appeared across mythological and religious narratives as a symbol of peace, longing, and divine presence, in Umayyad poetry, it often serves as a mirror to human sorrow, particularly in the context of 'Udhrī (chaste) love. The main objective of this study is to explore how the motif of the mourning dove functions as a layered semiotic sign that reflects human grief, nostalgia, and metaphysical yearning. The study employs a qualitative semiotic method based on the frameworks of Roland Barthes and Charles S. Peirce to analyze a selected corpus of Umayyad poems. Through close textual reading and symbol analysis, the research uncovers how poets such as Jamil ibn Ma‘mar and Kuthayyir utilize the image of the dove to construct emotional depth and spiritual symbolism. The findings reveal that the mourning dove operates not only as a literal bird but as a complex signifier of absence, longing, and unattainable love. Its recurring presence reinforces key themes of spiritual suffering and existential melancholy in the Umayyad poetic tradition. This research contributes to broader discussions in Arabic literary criticism, semiotics, and cultural studies by demonstrating how animal imagery, especially that of the dove, serves as a powerful semiotic vehicle in classical Arabic literature

A Genetic Structuralism Analysis of Mahmoud Darwish’s Poem “Ahinnu Ila Khubzi Ummi”

Mohammad Zainal Hamdy, Umniyah — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Literary works are often created based on an author’s personal experiences or imaginative ideas, which shape the meaning and aesthetic value of the text. However, readers frequently face challenges in understanding the implicit messages conveyed by the author, especially in poetry that combines beauty and depth of meaning. This study aims to analyze Mahmoud Darwish’s poem “Ahinnu Ila Khubzi Ummi” through the lens of genetic structuralism in order to reveal both intrinsic and extrinsic elements that construct its meaning. The research employs a qualitative approach using the library method by collecting and reviewing relevant journals, books, and documents related to genetic structuralism and Darwish’s works. The analysis identifies intrinsic elements such as theme, tone, imagery, and message, which reflect strong emotional and patriotic nuances. Additionally, extrinsic elements, including the author’s social and historical context, reveal the influence of Palestinian identity and resistance on the creation of the poem. The study also notes stylistic features such as repeated words (hyperbole) and certain ambiguous stanzas that require interpretative reading to uncover hidden meanings. The findings demonstrate that the poem is not only an expression of personal longing but also a symbol of national struggle and cultural memory. This research contributes to the field of literary studies by offering an in-depth understanding of how genetic structuralism bridges textual analysis with socio-historical context, particularly in modern Arabic resistance poetry

The Image of Makan Between Pre-Islamic Poetry and The Modern Novel (Al-Hutay'ah and Kazim Al-Ahmadi as a Model)

Ali Dahash Kazim Sabr — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The spatial imagination in Arabic literature offers a critical lens for exploring the interplay between cultural identity, historical change, and narrative form. This study, The Image of Place between Pre-Islamic Poetry and the Modern Novel (Al-Hutai'ah and Kazem Al-Ahmadi as a Model), investigates how representations of place function beyond descriptive realism to become sites of symbolic meaning and ideological engagement. The research problem centers on the evolution of spatial imagery from the pre-Islamic poetic tradition to the modern Arabic novel, and the ways in which these images encode sociopolitical realities. The aim is to uncover the semantic layers and symbolic functions of place in the works of Al-Hutai'ah and Kazem Al-Ahmadi, demonstrating how each transforms space into a cultural text that both reflects and critiques its historical moment. Adopting a comparative analytical methodology, the study contrasts the desert and tribal authority of the pre-Islamic world with the urban landscapes and power structures of modern Iraq. Findings reveal that in Al-Hutai'ah’s poetry, “the desert” operates as a metaphor for individual alienation and the struggle for tribal dominance, whereas in Al-Ahmadi’s narratives, “Basra” emerges as a narrative geography encapsulating collective oppression, resistance, and memory. The research also observes that contemporary theoretical approaches to narrative space parallel classical Arabic rhetorical traditions in decoding spatial symbolism. This study contributes to Arabic literary criticism by bridging classical and modern frameworks, illuminating the persistent role of place as a vehicle for articulating identity, resistance, and historical consciousness across distinct literary epochs.

Exploring the Intrinsic Elements of Tarbiyah Ash-Shibyan and Their Relevance to Islamic Religious Education

Mustaqim, Samsul AR, Khoirit Tamam — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The classical scholars of the Malay–Indonesian archipelago paid great attention to Islamic education, leaving behind numerous works that reflect the integration of literature and moral pedagogy. One such work is Tarbiyah Ash-Shibyan by Muhammad Habibullah Ibn Rois Ibrohim, a poetic text that outlines moral guidance for children in their relationships with parents, teachers, peers, and society. This study aims to analyze the intrinsic elements of Tarbiyah Ash-Shibyan and explore its relevance to Islamic Religious Education, particularly in shaping moral character and ethical awareness. Employing a qualitative library research method with a descriptive-analytical approach, this research examines the text’s thematic structure, language style, and pedagogical message. The findings reveal that Tarbiyah Ash-Shibyan combines aesthetic beauty with moral instruction, functioning not only as a literary work but also as a medium of character education. The poetic form enhances memorization and internalization of moral values, making it a valuable tool in Islamic education. This study contributes to understanding how classical Islamic literature can serve as an effective model for moral and character education in contemporary contexts

A Linguistic and Literary Exploration of At-Tafsir al-Bayani: Unpacking Bint al-Shathi’s Hermeneutical Vision

Muhsin Muis, Faqih Ali Syari’ati — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study aims to examine Bint al-Shathi’s thought and interpretive approach in her reading of the Qur’an. The research is motivated by the limited scholarly attention to her methodological distinctiveness, particularly her integration of linguistic and literary analysis in Qur’anic exegesis. Employing a qualitative approach with a library-based research design, this study collects data by thoroughly reviewing Bint al-Shathi’s works, especially At-Tafsir al-Bayani li al-Qur’an al-Karim, along with supporting literature such as books, journal articles, and other academic publications related to the research focus. Data were analyzed using content analysis to identify key concepts, interpretive patterns, and analytical frameworks used by the author. The findings reveal that Bint al-Shathi’ adopts a distinctive exegetical method that departs significantly from earlier mufassirun. Her interpretation is characterized by a strong emphasis on Arabic linguistic structures and literary aesthetics, resulting in readings that are both lyrical and metaphorical. This linguistic–literary approach allows her to highlight the expressive power, coherence, and rhetorical depth of Qur’anic discourse. The study contributes to Qur’anic studies by offering a deeper understanding of Bint al-Shathi’s intellectual legacy and demonstrating the relevance of her method for contemporary exegetical scholarship, particularly in bridging linguistic analysis and literary appreciation in tafsir

The Morphological Structures of Derived Forms in the Thirtieth Part of the Qur’an: A Morphological Study

Sukna Jebur Hussein — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study addresses the linguistic problem of understanding Qur’anic expressions through their morphological structures, particularly in the thirtieth part (Juz ‘Amma) of the Holy Qur’an. Derivation (al-ishtiqāq) plays a crucial role in enriching Arabic vocabulary and revealing layers of meaning embedded in Qur’anic discourse. The research aims to examine the structures of derivatives found in selected verses, identify their linguistic functions, and clarify how these forms contribute to interpreting the intended meanings of the text. Employing a descriptive–analytical method, the study begins with a preamble outlining the origins of derivation in both linguistic and terminological perspectives, its importance in the development of Arabic, and its major types. The analysis involves classifying derivative forms and examining their semantic implications within Qur’anic contexts. The findings show that derivative analysis provides an effective interpretive tool across linguistic levels, enabling a deeper and more precise comprehension of Qur’anic meanings. All major derivative forms appear in the examined verses except the instrumental noun (ism al-ālah). The study also highlights the centrality of the lexical root, which constitutes the semantic core from which morphological patterns emerge, predominantly based on the triliteral root system (faʿala). This research contributes to Qur’anic linguistic studies by demonstrating how derivational structures enhance textual interpretation

Linguistic and Ethical Dimensions of the Qur’anic Term Mihrab as an Initial Framework for the Liberation of Bayt al-Maqdis

Taqiyah Syamsul Arifin Abdul Lathif, Muassomah, Galuh Nur Rohmah — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines the linguistic and ethical meanings of the Qur’anic term miḥrāb and its connection to the broader concept of liberation, particularly the liberation of Bayt al-Maqdis. The problem addressed in this research is the limited scholarly attention to miḥrāb beyond its conventional definition as a physical prayer niche, despite its deeper symbolic significance in the Qur’anic discourse. The study aims to clarify how miḥrāb functions as a spiritual, moral, and prophetic category that shapes individual and communal transformation. Using a textual and semantic analysis of four primary verses—Q 3:37, Q 3:39, Q 19:11, and Q 38:21—this research employs Ṭāhā ʿAbd al-Raḥmān’s theory of al-qirāʾah al-iʾtimāniyyah to explore the ethical trust embedded in the concept. The findings indicate that miḥrāb symbolizes a sacred space of spiritual discipline, moral refinement, and prophetic justice, serving as a formative arena for nurturing rabbānī leadership and spiritually liberated communities. Consequently, the liberation of Bayt al-Maqdis must begin with revitalizing spirituality through the symbolic and ethical dimensions of miḥrāb, rather than relying solely on militaristic approaches. The study contributes a conceptual framework that positions miḥrāb as a foundational paradigm for the civilizational liberation project within Islamic thought