An Investigation into the Popularity of the Eulogy of the Prophet Muhammad in the Mamluks’ Period

Eulogy is one of the most important poetic types in Arabic literature. Due to its moralistic themes, the eulogy of the prophet of Islam enjoys a high position in Arabic literature. This poetic type has existed in different periods of Arabic poetry. However, it reached its pinnacle in the Mamluks’ period. Using a descriptive-analytical approach, the present paper attempts to examine the various subdivisions of this literary type and its pertinent styles and themes by exploring its origin of formation and its prominent poets. The results of this paper suggest that the eulogies of the prophet in the Mamluks’ period are considered as one the finest poetic forms in Arabic literature. These eulogies do not have a specific structure. Yet, long odes of this literary type include a lyrical introduction, a main body, and an epilogue and they mention the prophet’s miracles and characteristics. The art of praising the prophet flourished in the Mamluks’ period because ‎of several important reasons. First, during the Crusades this poetic type was used ‎as a motivating force to inspire efforts to defend the Islamic lands. Second, ‎the prophet was considered as a decent model to follow for Muslims. Third, Arab poets praised Mamluk ‎kings but they, not being Arab, paid no attention to their poetry. Furthermore, there was a need for this type ‎of poetry in the prophet’s birthday celebrations. The ‎spread of Sufism and Mysticism, the expansion of the Islamic world, ‎people’s desire to visit the holy places of Hejaz, and the competition between Sunni ‎circles who praised the prophet and Shia movements who praised the ‎Ahl al-Bayt are among the other reasons. Al-Busiri and Safi-al-Din al-Hilli are among the most famous poets of this period who wrote ‎poetry in praise of the prophet. Al-Busiri is the most famous one and many consider him as the inventor of ‎the technique.‎