Al-Sharīf al-Raḍī and the Poetics of 'Alid Legitimacy Elegy for al-Ḥusayn ibn 'Alī on 'Āshūrā', 391 A.H.

Abstract

Al-Sharif al-Radi's qasidah rhymed in ddl that opens: "These are the abodes at al-Ghamim, so call to them," (hddhi al-mandzilu bi-al-Ghamimi fa-nddiha) is generally described as an elegy to al-Husayn ibn 'All and dated quite precisely to the Day of'Ashura 391 (10 Muharram) A.H. (10 Dec, 1000 CE.) The fifty-eight line polythematic poem goes beyond the normal strictures of ritha to exhibit a complex generic hybridity. It is my contention that the poem's composition is not haphazard or arbitrary, but rather the poet has masterfully manipulated classical Arabic qasidah conventions, including form, genre, imagery and diction, to promote a politico-religious claim for 'Alid legitimacy?his own imminent Imamate?and to create, at the same time, a meticulously crafted and perduring work of the poetic art.