The Hamzah-Rhymed Prophetic Ode of Ahmad Shawqi: A Thematic Study of Its Artistic and Didactic Content between Tradition and Modernity

Abstract

This research paper presents an integrated study of Ahmed Shawqi's "Al-Hamziyya Al-Nabawiyya" (The Prophetic Ode Rhyming in the Letter 'Ḥ'), positioning it not merely as a poem of praise but as a comprehensive poetic project. The study argues that the poem chronicles the biography of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his message, and the trajectory of the Islamic Ummah, its glory and decline. It analyzes the poem's unique artistic and thematic structure, which masterfully blends classical form with contemporary content. The paper deconstructs the poem into ten thematic sections, exploring its coverage of the Prophet's birth, character, miracles, the establishment of an Islamic state, and concluding with a supplication that reflects the concerns of the modern era. The findings confirm that Shawqi’s work transcends mere imitation of classical models, like Al-Busiri's "Burda," by infusing the traditional genre of “Madih Nabawi” (Prophetic Eulogy) with modern intellectual and civilizational dimensions, making it a timeless piece of Islamic literature that addresses both eternal truths and contemporary challenges

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