The Method Adopted by Ibn Saʻīd al-Andalusī in his Book “ʻArāʼis al-Adab”

Abstract

This research seeks to reveal the method that Ibn Saʻīd al-Andalusī (d. 685 A.H./1286 A.D.) used in his book ʻArāʼis al-Adab, a book on the autobiography of "Andalusian" poets. The research is divided into two topics: Saʻīd al-Andalusī's writing method of the book, and the critical method applied on the poems cited in that book.

The researcher noted that Ibn Saʻīd al-Andalusī adopted, while writing this book, an approach whereby he benefited from his own writing methods that had been applied in his other autobiographical books such as al-Mughrib fī Ḥulá al-Maghrib", "Rāyāt al-Mbbrizyīn wa Ghāyāt al-Mumayayzīn", "al-Gadḥ al-Muʻllá fī al-Tārīkh al-Muḥllá", and "al-Ghuṣūn al-Yāniʻah fī Shuʻarāʼ al-Miʼah al-Sābiʻah", among others, adding a special feature which distinguishes it from his previous writings.

The researcher also noted that Ibn Saʻīd al-Andalusī in his comments and criticism followed a distinctive method, which was defined in his book entitled “ʻUnwān al-Murqiṣāt wa al-Muṭribāt”, according to which he categorized poetry into entertaining, melodical, acceptable, abandoned, and else.

Due to the nature of the research (i.e., revealing Ibn Saʻīd al-Andalusī’s method adopted in his book), it was important to apply a descriptive analytical method.

The research concluded that Ibn Saʻīd al-Andalusī’s book ʻArāʼis al-Adab is an important source of knowledge, presenting a lot of information that has not been mentioned in any other source. Moreover, Ibn Saʻīd al-Andalusī’s superb aesthetics and self-impressions had been the main inspirations that shaped his critical remarks.