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Al-Tawqi'at in the Abbasid Era | ||
| Kirkuk University Journal: Humanity Studies | ||
| Volume 21, Issue 1, March 2026, Pages 515-542 PDF (610.73 K) | ||
| Document Type: Research Paper | ||
| DOI: 10.32894/1992-1179.2026.167943.1314 | ||
| Author | ||
| Zamzam Mohammed Hussein* | ||
| Kirkuk University/College of Basic Education | ||
| Abstract | ||
| This study examines the aesthetics of "Tawqi'at" (signed epigrams) during the Abbasid era, a unique genre of short prose written by caliphs, ministers, and governors in response to petitions, letters, and complaints. These signatures demonstrated the highest levels of conciseness and eloquence, transforming brief words into authoritative decrees that reflected both the prestige of power and the magic of rhetoric. The study aims to analyze the aesthetic aspects and complex rhetorical styles that made these epigrams a source of refined literature, focusing on the strength of style, depth of meaning, and impactful linguistic condensation that reduced lengthy passages into swift intellectual flashes. Furthermore, the study explores how the broad cultural backgrounds of the writers intersected with the sophisticated political and administrative atmosphere of the Abbasid state, turning official procedures into political tools that showcased the ruler's intelligence and persuasive prowess. The analysis also highlights the high artistic skill in employing intertextuality with religious and literary heritage, by evoking Quranic verses and Arabic proverbs and skillfully integrating them into the context of the situation. Additionally, rhetorical devices such as apostrophe (Al-Iltifat), antithesis (Al-Muqabalah), and rhymed prose (Saj’) are utilized to create a psychological rhythm and an emotional impact on the reader. The study concludes that these signatures were not merely ordinary or routine administrative procedures; rather, they were timeless literary texts and an integrated linguistic philosophy based on the principles of brevity and cognitive focus. This directly contributed to the maturation of later prose arts that relied on quick wit and the ability to express major issues with a minimum number of words, ensuring that these "Tawqi'at" remain testament to a golden age where politics blended with literature and authority with eloquence. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Tawqi'at; Emergence of Tawqi'at; Types of Tawqi'a; Rhetorical Imagery; Insha'i Styles | ||
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