Explore the Legacy of Pre-Islamic Poet Zuhayr ibn Abi Sulma

Who is Zuhayr ibn Abi Sulma?

Zuhayr ibn Abi Sulma was one of the leading poets of the pre-Islamic era (Jahiliyyah). He is considered one of the top three poets by literary critics, alongside Imru' al-Qays and al-Nabighah al-Dhubyani. While critics debated who among them came first, they unanimously agreed on the excellence of the three. Zuhayr was a highly regarded poet, praised by many. Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab considered him the greatest poet.

Ibn Abbas reported: "I went with Umar on his first military expedition, and he asked me: 'Recite for me the best of poets'. I asked, 'Who is that, O Commander of the Faithful?' He replied, 'Zuhayr ibn Abi Sulma'. I asked, 'Why him?' He said, 'Because he does not use vulgar language, does not speak in convoluted ways, only says what is true, and only praises people for their real qualities'.

Lineage, Upbringing, and Life of Zuhayr ibn Abi Sulma

Zuhayr was the son of Abi Sulma, whose full name was Rabi’ah ibn Riyah ibn ‘Awwam ibn Qurt ibn al-Harith ibn Mazin ibn Tha’labah ibn Thawr ibn Hazmah ibn Latim ibn ‘Uthman ibn Muzaynah ibn Ud ibn Tabikhah ibn Ilyas ibn Mudar. His nickname (kunya) was Abu Sulma, named after his daughter Sulma, a name rarely used among Arab girls at the time.

He belonged to the tribe of Muzaynah and was raised among his maternal uncles from the Banu Ghatafan tribe, under the care of his maternal uncle Bishamah, a known poet. He married Bishamah's daughter, Umm Awfa, who bore him children who all died young. Later, he married Kabshah bint ‘Ammar al-Ghatafaniyyah. Her presence caused Umm Awfa great jealousy, leading to conflict and divorce, even though he loved her deeply. He often mentioned her in his poetry.

Kabshah bore him three sons: Ka’b, Bujayr, and Salim. Salim died during Zuhayr’s lifetime after falling from a horse and breaking his neck. Zuhayr mourned him deeply.

Historians estimate that Zuhayr was born around 520 or 530 CE. He composed his famous Mu’allaqah poem after the Dahis and Ghabra War, which ended between 608–610 CE. He was around 80 years old at the time, as he stated in the poem:

"I am tired of life’s burdens, and whoever lives eighty years will surely grow weary".

Character and Ethics of Zuhayr ibn Abi Sulma

Although he died about a year before the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ received revelation, Zuhayr had noble qualities aligned with Islamic values. He was honest, faithful, peaceful, moral, and believed in God and the Hereafter. He distanced himself from the pagan practices of his era. His poetry reflects this spiritual tendency.

“I swear by the Sacred House around which men from Quraysh and Jurhum circumambulate… By God, you two (tribal leaders) are noble in all matters.”

He advocated for peace, virtue, and only praised those who were worthy. Those he praised were remembered because of his truthful poetry.

Influence of Upbringing

His upbringing among his maternal uncles, especially the poet Bishamah, shaped his moral and poetic personality. Though he lived in comfort, he longed for his homeland, which stirred his poetic emotion. Bishamah, having no sons, left his poetry as inheritance to Zuhayr, saying:

“I have given you something better, my poetry as your inheritance.”

He was also influenced by Aws ibn Hajar, who married Zuhayr’s mother after his father’s death. Aws was a master poet of Mudar, and Zuhayr became his narrator. These influences crafted Zuhayr’s poetic legacy.

Zuhayr as a Poet

Zuhayr came from a poetic family: his father, uncle, sisters (al-Khansa and Sulma), and sons (Ka’b and Bujayr) were all poets. Poetry remained in his family for generations. He lived comfortably through inheritance and poetry. He witnessed the war between Abs and Dhubyan and wrote his Mu’allaqah to praise the peacemakers Haram ibn Sinan and al-Harith ibn ‘Awf, who paid the blood money over three years. Zuhayr praised them for their selflessness and generosity.

His poetry addressed common themes of his time, nostalgia, tribal praise, and journeys, but also included wisdom and calls for moral reform. Although he did not experience passionate love, he expressed it vividly in his poems. He was known for nobility and purity; his poems were free from vulgarity.

Style and Wisdom of Zuhayr ibn Abi Sulma

Zuhayr was a pioneer of the polished poetry school founded by Aws ibn Hajar. This school focused on refined, well-crafted poetry. Zuhayr would spend months on a poem and revise it for a year before sharing it. His sons and disciples followed his method.

Main Features of His Poetry:

• Abundant wisdom derived from real life experiences.
• Careful word choice, sometimes simple, other times powerful and eloquent.
• Clear and natural language, with rich imagery such as metaphor, simile, and contrast.
• Truthful themes, avoiding exaggeration except where artfully done.

Zuhayr ibn Abi Sulma Mu’allaqah

Zuhayr’s Mu’allaqah was written after the Abs–Dhubyan war. It praised peacemakers and called for reconciliation, warning against bloodshed and hate. It has 59 lines and includes the following sections:

1. Nostalgia

He mourns his beloved’s abandoned home, now a habitat for animals. He can only recognize it after careful observation".

Does a ruin of Umm Awfa speak to you…?"

2. The Caravan

He recalls the majestic pre-dawn departure of the caravan, its beautiful decorations, and the journey’s route.

3. Praise of the Peacemakers

"Indeed, you are noble leaders in every way... You reunited Abs and Dhubyan after they nearly annihilated one another".

4. Address to Warring Tribes

"Do not hide from God what is in your hearts... God will know what you conceal".

5. Wisdom Verses

"Whoever fears death, death will find him, even if he climbs to the sky on a ladder".

"He who hoards his wealth and doesn’t help his people, they will abandon and criticize him".

Zuhayr ibn Abi Sulma Death

Zuhayr died in 631 CE, about one year before the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ received revelation. Before his death, he had a dream that he would witness something great from the heavens. He told his son:

"I am certain something from the heavens will happen after me. If it comes, hold on to it firmly".

His vision came true. After the Prophet’s mission began, his son Ka’b accepted Islam and composed the famous poem “Banat Su’ad” in praise of the Prophet ﷺ.