Forms of Employing Qur'anic Quotation in Poetic Texts Examples from Mamluk-Era Poetry

This study represents the first installment in a series of research projects by the author on the influence of the Holy Qur’an on Arabic poetry. The researcher has chosen a medieval period from the Islamic civilization to serve as a representative model reflecting the extent of the Qur’anic text’s impact on Arab culture in general, and poetry in particular.

The choice of "poetry"—rather than other literary genres—highlights the profound influence of the Qur’an’s miraculous composition on poets. The Qur’anic text functioned as the "dominant discourse" within their linguistic repertoire, which was their primary medium for poetic creativity. At the same time, it was the prevailing text shaping the intellectual culture of the elite—scholars and dignitaries alike—and the orally transmitted scripture heard day and night in prayers, sermons, and public recitations among the general populace.

This research explores some of the artistic methods employed by Mamluk-era poets in incorporating Qur’anic quotations into poetic texts. The study focuses on two specific techniques:

1. Direct quotation without alteration – where the Qur’anic excerpt is integrated into the poetic context without any modification in wording or structure. The researcher demonstrates how poets utilize their artistic abilities to skillfully prepare the context for the quotation’s inclusion, often accompanied by rhetorical embellishments, while reorienting the Qur’anic meaning toward the intended poetic purpose.

2. Modified quotation – in which changes are made to certain words or grammatical structures of the Qur’anic text, without stripping it of its recognizable Qur’anic quality. Such modifications may involve omission or addition.