Research Article

Simile and Metaphor in the Poetry of Nizār Qabbānī: The Potential of Classical Rhetoric in Modern Verse

Volume: 56 Number: 1 June 30, 2026
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Simile and Metaphor in the Poetry of Nizār Qabbānī: The Potential of Classical Rhetoric in Modern Verse

Abstract

Badr Shākir al-Sayyāb and Nāzik al-Malā’ika are widely recognized as the founders of modern Arabic free verse. However, Nizār Qabbānī (1923-1998) also played a vital role in popularizing this genre. Qabbānī deliberately set aside the rigid rhyme and meter patterns of classical Arabic poetry. Nonetheless, he markedly preserved the traditional rhythmic structures and unique musicality of the Arabic poetic heritage in many of his works. Despite his formal freedom, Qabbānī had a profound mastery of classical Arabic poetic styles and imagery spanning from the pre-Islamic Jāhiliyya period to the Abbasid era. Using a qualitative text analysis method, this study examines Qabbānī’s use of classical rhetorical devices, such as tashbīh (simile) and isti‘āra (metaphor), in selected poems to shed light on his aesthetic continuity. The findings suggest that, despite being a modern poet, Qabbānī remains deeply rooted in traditional foundations. He uses traditional rhetorical tools as fundamental instruments to intensify meaning and deepen literary discourse. Consequently, the study concludes that Qabbānī balances formal freedom in his poetry with the semantic boundaries and structural mechanisms of bayān, the science of rhetoric, which serves as a regulatory framework that prevents the fragmentation of modern verses.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This study does not require ethical committee approval as the data were obtained from existing literature and published sources. The author hereby declare that the research was conducted in accordance with scientific and ethical principles, and all sources utilized in the study have been duly acknowledged in the references.

References

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  8. Kiraz, Alaaddin. “Nizār Kabbânî’nin ‘Belkıs’ Adlı Şiirinin Dil ve Üslup Açısından Analizi”. Türkiye İlahiyat Araştırmaları Dergisi 9/1 (2025), 38-58.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Arabic Language and Rhetoric

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 30, 2026

Submission Date

March 26, 2026

Acceptance Date

May 21, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 56 Number: 1

APA
Arslan, A. (2026). Simile and Metaphor in the Poetry of Nizār Qabbānī: The Potential of Classical Rhetoric in Modern Verse. Akif, 56(1), 109-130. https://izlik.org/JA87HS92XL
AMA
1.Arslan A. Simile and Metaphor in the Poetry of Nizār Qabbānī: The Potential of Classical Rhetoric in Modern Verse. Akif. 2026;56(1):109-130. https://izlik.org/JA87HS92XL
Chicago
Arslan, Adnan. 2026. “Simile and Metaphor in the Poetry of Nizār Qabbānī: The Potential of Classical Rhetoric in Modern Verse”. Akif 56 (1): 109-30. https://izlik.org/JA87HS92XL.
EndNote
Arslan A (June 1, 2026) Simile and Metaphor in the Poetry of Nizār Qabbānī: The Potential of Classical Rhetoric in Modern Verse. Akif 56 1 109–130.
IEEE
[1]A. Arslan, “Simile and Metaphor in the Poetry of Nizār Qabbānī: The Potential of Classical Rhetoric in Modern Verse”, Akif, vol. 56, no. 1, pp. 109–130, June 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA87HS92XL
ISNAD
Arslan, Adnan. “Simile and Metaphor in the Poetry of Nizār Qabbānī: The Potential of Classical Rhetoric in Modern Verse”. Akif 56/1 (June 1, 2026): 109-130. https://izlik.org/JA87HS92XL.
JAMA
1.Arslan A. Simile and Metaphor in the Poetry of Nizār Qabbānī: The Potential of Classical Rhetoric in Modern Verse. Akif. 2026;56:109–130.
MLA
Arslan, Adnan. “Simile and Metaphor in the Poetry of Nizār Qabbānī: The Potential of Classical Rhetoric in Modern Verse”. Akif, vol. 56, no. 1, June 2026, pp. 109-30, https://izlik.org/JA87HS92XL.
Vancouver
1.Adnan Arslan. Simile and Metaphor in the Poetry of Nizār Qabbānī: The Potential of Classical Rhetoric in Modern Verse. Akif [Internet]. 2026 Jun. 1;56(1):109-30. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA87HS92XL