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Or "Arabic Literature", is a diverse, culturally-filled phrase that spans across centuries of traditions and epistemology, a lot of which mixed neatly to create a rich background that all Arabs can fall back upon and proudly call as their people's accomplishments. The threads of Arabic literature goes as far back as the 5th century, with only a few written works being retrieved from before that. The Quran, the main religious symbol for Muslims all across the world, is considered to be one of the finest, greatest, most concise and sophisticated pieces of literature in the Arabic world.

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Just like any other world literature - American, Irish, Scandinavian, and else - the genres of Arabic literature include, but are not limited to:

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Classics

Emerging from the Islamic golden age, this genre produced some of the most known literary works of all time: "One Thousand and One Night," commonly known as "The Arabian Nights" in English, a collection of folktales from all around the Middle East, as well as the works of Al-Mutanabbi.

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Short Stories and Prose

Khalil Gibran's works are notable in this genre, although his art extended past written work, as he dabbled with visual arts and painting.

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Although, before the Quran, there existed a time, dubbed "Al-Jahiliyyah", referring to the period that preexisted Islam where people were considered "ignorant", in which a multitude of works have survived, namely the works of Al-Khansa'a like her elegies, and the works of Al-Hutay'a (الحطيئة) like his poetry in Al-Madih and Al-Thana'a (المدح والثناء), as well as his epic poetry (الشعر القصصي).

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This literature is not a one-size-fits-all; as much of literature is not. Arabs, whether they are Jordanian, Iraqi, Palestinian, Syrian, Saudi, Egyptian, or anywhere from the many other Arabic countries, have created a near-infinite palette that is used to create works of art.

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As time went on, changes occurred to Arabic literature, reflecting societal changes, political upheavals, and cultural shifts in the Arab world. These changes can be attributed to a variety of different elements, whether it is the modernist movements of the 20th century, or the contemporary experimental literature era. This, of course, alters the way in which each literary work should be viewed from, criticized, and consumed, as even the smallest socio-political change should be regarded with great importance in literary critical spheres.

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Poetry

Such as the works of Mahmoud Darwish.

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Now the aforementioned alteration in criticism should not reflect the global context in which Arabic literary works can be viewed from. These works may simply reflect universal, human experiences that transcend cultural and geographical boundaries. Love, life, grief, joy, justice, relationships, are all aspects of universally understood themes that do not need prior indigenous knowledge that the work cannot survive or come across without. This also leads to easier, cross-cultural comprehension of 'foreign' literature.

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Here is an example of a classical Arabic text that is often studied for its linguistic and literary richness 

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Here is an example of a classical Arabic text that is often studied for its linguistic and literary richness 

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مَولَايَ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ دَائِمًا أَبَدًا ... عَلَى حَبِيبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ كُلِّهِمِ

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My Master, send peace and blessings

forever and eternally

Upon Your Beloved, the best of all creation.

O Leader of the Prophets, O our intercessor,

O the possessor of a good-natured face and blessed essence,

Who dispels the darkness of every interceded person.

O Prophet, your goodness is visible at every moment

and you are the best model for anyone seeking your high qualities,

you are the lamp that lights the way in the darkness.

O Messenger of God, our souls are your sacrifice.

You are the chosen one among us, and the intercessor of our sins.

You are the one whose intercession is hoped for on the Day of Judgment.

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Context of this classical work and its significance

"Qasidat al-Burda" is an ode composed by Al-Busiri in praise of the Prophet Muhammad. It is considered one of the most celebrated works of Arabic literature. It holds profound cultural and religious significance, as it has been recited, memorized, and revered by Muslims around the world as an expression of love and devotion for the Prophet.

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Rhythm and Meter

It is written in the poetic form known as Qasida, which typically, but not always, consists of rhyming couplets. It uses a meter called "al-Monassar," characterized by its rhythmic pattern of long and short syllables.

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Epics

A semi-known Arabic epic is Taghribat Bani Hilal, an epic recounting Banu Hilal's journey from Egypt to Tunisia and conquest of the latter in the 11th century.

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Mysteries

Such as the works of Abdul-Wahhab Alsaiid Alrifaee, namely his series called "Halat Nadirah".

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Romance

Such as Memory in the Flesh by Algerian writer Ahlam Mostaghanmi, The Ring of the Dove or Tawq al-Hamamah by Ibn Hazm, and Love in Exile by Bahaa Taher.

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Literary devices that this work uses

Imagery, Metaphors, and Symbolism

Such as the Prophet being the spiritual light and guidance of people, using nature to describe his supposed beauty, among others.

Invocation and Supplication

The poet prays for blessings and peace upon the Prophet, which reflects a common Islamic practice.

Uses Epithets

Such as "حبيبك خير الخلق" (Your beloved, the best of all creation), which is a common literary device in praising revered figures in classical Arabic poetry.

Themes

It employs a multitude of themes, but mainly love, devotion, worship, and admiration, all directed towards the Prophet.