The literary style in Arabic poems created in Sri Lanka (an analytical study on Deewan Ash Sheikh Ajwad)

Abstract

Even though the native people of the Sri Lanka are not Arabic originally, the scholars of the Island have contributed immensely to the development of Arabic language and its arts and literature. The scholars are using Arabic language as a medium to express their feelings, thoughts and aspects of arts. Al-Shaikh Ajwad is one of the prominent scholars who have contributed to the proliferation of the language. He was able to compose Arabic poetry in the light of Islamic perception. The problem of this study is that less attention is paid by the Muslim community in a non-Arabic country, Sri Lanka to the treasure of Arabic poetry composed embracing Islamic values and perception. Therefore, the study was undertaken to analyse and elaborate the value and perception of the content of the poetry. The objectives of this study are to identify artistic details of the poet, Al-Shaikh Ajwad; to analyse literary elements in his poetry; and to highlight Islamic perception in contents of his poetry. This study adopted analytical method through the analysing the artistic details, meanings and themes of the qasidah of the poet. Further, his interest on reading Arabic and Islamic literature and the natural talent on poetry paved the way for composing Arabic poems that exhibit Islamic perception. His poetic language and language style and experience in dealing with various poems proved his creativity and talent on poetry. The Islamic thoughts have been explicitly expressed through the themes of his poems. This study also proves the ability of poets in the non-Arabic environment in producing Arabic poetry with unique artistic touches.