ZAKAREIA ENANY
by Zakareia Enany [Cairo]
SUMMARY:
The problem of terminology is apparent in the early writings on muwashshahaat, the most outstanding of which is the Dakhira of Ibn Bassam (died in 542 H.). This book dates
back to two hundred years after the appearance of the muwashshahaat as literary form. This is evidence enough that
nobody is certain about the nature of the muwashshahaat, when they were first conceived, and how different
from or similar they were to the traditional form we know now.
Most famous of the work written on
terminology is the Dar at-Tiraz of the oriental Ibn Sana’ al-Mulk (died
608 H.). It presents a large number of the technical terms that became
influential later (for example kharja, qufl, bayt, etc.).
Another work is al-Muqtataf by Ibn Sa’īd, whose work was quoted in
the works of Ibn Khaldun and Maqqary. Other ancient books are also of significance
as far as the study of terminology is concerned. These are Tawshi’ by
safady, ‘Uddat al-Jalis by Ibn Bishri and Sagaal-wurq by Sakhawi
(a manuscript). Various references to the problem of terminology are made in
different collections such as al-aADara al-Maisay, only to mention an
example.
It is mandatory that a thorough
analysis be undertaken of the anthologies and Dawawins, containing a
considerable number of muwashshahaat, such as those of Tutayly, Ibn
Sahl, and as-Shushtari. This is in addition to the anthology of Ibn Arabi,
which presents more terms than other work.
Modern studies have contributed to
the investigation of the problem of terminology. A survey of these is to be
presented starting with Orientalists such as Hartmann in the later part of the
nineteenth century and coming to Gomez, and F. Corriente, Stern, A. Jones, etc.
Arab and Eastern scholars such as Ahwany, al-Karin, Gazy, I. Abbas and Jirary
also made their contribution. The study of terminology in the case involves
structuring of all these different writings and the examination of their
differences as well as their similarities.
The kind of study is analytical.
It is based on presenting a critical survey of the contribution of all writers
and critics who have contributed to this critical issue, with the objective of
giving an analysis of this Andalusian form of art.