Comparative Analysis Of Appropriate Behavior And Ethics Representation In Mu’allaqa Of Imru’al-Qays And In Ibn Ishaq’s Life Of Muhammad
In this paper, we will discuss the comparison in presentation of appropriate behavior and ethics in the Mu’allaqa of Imru’al-Qays (Pre-Islamic Poetry) and in Ibn Ishaq’s Life of Muhammad (Biographies of Muhammad). We will divide it into two halves.
Beginning with pre-lsalmic poetry, it is known that they were no specific rules governing it and abiding it to religion therefore it was more nature oriented and greatly based on local life. Most of these poems disappeared and out of those that survived, the basis concept is the poet going to the campsite or lover’s home and describing the loved one, her beauty, his journey, also giving out some knowledge and lastly boasting about his ride and himself. Despite all, such poems have helped in understanding chronology and the lifestyle of people before islam was introduced.
Specifying to Mu’allaqa of Imru’al-Qays’ poem the Seven Odes that follows the same classic pattern that the other pre-Islamic poems follow. It starts with the poet weeping in lose of his Juliet, and him visiting her old leftover site, which turns out to be his pilgrim spot where he goes and remembers her greatness and their love. Circumambulates around it just like the Ka’ba in the Islamic world. The main concern of people in that era was hunting either for virgins or animals but in this poem, its for rich virgins. These virgins end up not only becoming a source of physical pleasure but also act as goddess for the majority. As claimed in heaven, there are everlasting virgins same applies her on earth, men could go beyond limits for virgins for example, in this poem where al-Qays sacrifices his powerful riding beast in honor of his darling. Usually such encounters happened with rich lads as they are the most pampered and trapping them show the man’s bravery.
The second thing we witness in this sonnet is that there is a lot of bragging about his bravery and mainly about the horse being white with highlights of henna. The strong slender legs and how loyal and obedient it is. Beside that there is a great sense of exposure to the desert and the female body. This piece helps us understand that people did pray to someone or something irrespective of the form and there were no restrictions to whom to pray and believe in, more openness. Social status and drinking were a great thing for them and this is also gives us a glimpse of the kind of mentality a normal Arabian carried.
Lastly, the continuous references to nature explain the atmosphere of that region and their attachment to it and how deeply it is planted into their souls. In the other part, the biography educates us about the changes that took place politically and socially after the revelation to the prophet. There are a lot of differences in this new world and the previous one. in this end, poets that were and are a great source of wisdom are considered as jinis and being possessed that is ironic to the rhyme above. The general behavior changes towards as they are more respected if they stay in their limits. The religion tends to impose some restrictions on them too such as covering their whole body in clothing and not committing adultery or betraying the husband or men of the family. This text focusses on Muhammad and his life and how his occupation and habits changed and what he felt about the experience and the support he received from his wives and family. This changes the tide by elevating women’s status both socially and domestically, they are equally responsible for the welfare. The youth become more concentrated on following the prophet’s footsteps. The prophet becomes the ideal for that and proceeding generations and the rituals and prayers testify his meeting with the only God. Such delusions are not a common thing as they as less knowledge of the Almighty. According to the Muslim tradition, previous religions messed up the epiphany and hence there is no proof to justify these illusions of seeing God.
The concept of sacrifices also changed after the discovery of Islam, sacrifices were victims or animals but the purpose of their killing changed from being fun to an offering to God and a cleanser for our sins. The attire changed too for the public when going to hajj, they were expected to dress different and after the action they should change back to mix up with the others. Clothing tends to play an extra role of uniting the people of the same race and religion against the other monotheist religion.
Another practice that appears is that of the pilgrim and fasting during the holy month, and the seriousness towards it holds a totally different meaning as compared to the past. There is diversity over time but some things remained unchanged at the larger level, the horses and wives are both man’s property and are answerable to him and have no control over self. Money serves as a necessity in both, the poet are patronized and the merchant also trades. Love can be of different forms that’s is for a beloved one or God, it strikes one surprisingly and has a long lasting impact on our lives and the belief about life after death continues.
In conclusion, there were some behavioral and ethical variations between the two texts and the point out that change of authority and regulations can change one’s mentality and habits.
