In Defense of the Rhetoric of the Abbasid State: A Cultural Reading of the Introduction to “The Writer’s Literature” by Ibn Qutaybah

Abstract

The Abbasid state has taken care of prose in general and official Diwan prose in particular since its inception. This is based on its belief that eloquence is a crucial pillar of its political sovereignty. However, this care, which continued until the end of the reign of Al-Ma'mun, started to decline and retreat from the era of Al-Mu'tasim due to reasons related to his cultural background and the increase in Turkish mamluks. It continued through the era of Al-Mutawakkil, who sensed the deterioration of the political eloquence of the Abbasid state, and he did not spare efforts to bring about tangible change. However, this change was not sufficient due to the Turks' control over the state's mechanisms, and the rise of populism and skepticism among writers. Ibn Qutaybah's book ‘Adab al-Katib’ came as a resolute condemnation of the manifestations of this rhetorical crisis, representing, in its introduction, a comprehensive and faithful guide for writers seeking to rectify the knowledge and skills that need rectification. This research seeks to highlight the features of the effort undertaken by Ibn Qutaybah from the perspective of cultural criticism.