20 questions for: Haytham Ibrahim (#35)

Taha Hussein, often referred to as “the Dean of Arabic Literature,” was a prominent figure in the intellectual and literary circles of the Arab world. Born on November 14, 1889, in the town of Maghagha (مغاغة) in upper Egypt, Hussein overcame the challenges of blindness from an early age to become one of Egypt’s most influential scholars and writers. Driven by an insatiable hunger for knowledge, he pursued education tirelessly, earning a doctorate from the Sorbonne in Paris, where he studied under the guidance of eminent scholars.

He is best known for his advocacy of free thought and for his reevaluation of Arabic literary heritage through a critical, rationalist approach. Taha Hussein’s works, which included novels, plays, essays, and educational writings, often stirred significant controversy due to his progressive ideas and his call for educational and social reforms.

There is a Taha Hussein Museum in Egypt.

“The Days” or “Al-Ayyām” (الأيّام) in Arabic is an autobiography by Taha Hussein. The book is made up of three parts and tells the story of his life from a small village to becoming a teacher in Egypt and studying in France.

It talks about his experiences with traditional Islamic schooling, how he challenged usual customs, and his return to Egypt to become a professor. His writing style, especially the way he used conversations with a hint of irony, has had a big impact on the literature of the Arabic-speaking world. To reach more readers, the book has been translated into English with the titles “An Egyptian Childhood” and “A Passage to France.”

Ahmad Shawqi (أحمد شوقي), known as the Prince of Poets (أَمِيرُ الشُّعَراءِ) was one of the most famous Arabic literary writers of the modern era in the Arab World. He was born in Cairo, Egypt, in 1868. Shawqi’s poetry is characterized by its richness and versatility, encompassing themes of patriotism, romance, and social issues. Upon his return to Egypt, he received immense adulation and respect, which cemented his place in Arabic literature.

Raised in a family with a rich mix of backgrounds, including Egyptian and several others, Shawqi grew up well-connected to Egypt’s leaders back then, the Khedive (خديوي)¹. He spent some time working for the ruler of Egypt before going to France to study Law for three years. His time in France was greatly influenced by famous French writers, especially playwrights like Molière and Racine. When he came back to Egypt in 1894, Shawqi became an important figure in Arab writing.

However, the British made him leave Egypt and live in southern Spain in 1914. He stayed there until 1920, then moved back to Egypt. In 1927, his writing was so admired that he was named “the Prince of Poets” by other writers.

There is an Ahmad Shawqi Museum in Cairo. The poet who used to live in Ibn Hani’s Vineyardin (كرمة ابن هانىء) at Al-Matariyyah area near the palace of the Khedive Abbas II until he was exiled.

Abbas Mahmoud al-Aqqad (عباس محمود العقاد) was a notable Egyptian journalist, poet and literary critic and member of the Academy of the Arabic Language in Cairo (مجمع اللغة العربية بالقاهرة).

Al-‘Aqqad’s father worked with money and came from a small Egyptian city called Damietta (دمياط) in the Nile Delta; his mother was of Kurdish descent. He didn’t go to school much, just finishing elementary school. But he loved to read and taught himself more by buying books with the money others might spend on fun things.

When he feared getting in trouble for speaking out against Adolf Hitler during World War II, he escaped to Sudan. In 1940, while Hitler’s army was moving closer to Egypt, al-‘Aqqad wrote a strong criticism of Hitler called “Hitler in the Balance,” (هتلر في الميزان) saying that Nazism was a huge danger to freedom and humanity.

Throughout his life, he wrote over a hundred books about topics like philosophy, religion, and poetry. He is most famous for his Abqarīyat series (عبقريات العقاد الإسلامية) – the word عَبْقَريّة means genius (of); brilliance (of) -, which consists of seven books cover the life of seven of the most important people in Islam. The Islamic Geniuses of Al-Akkad is a series of works and includes the Prophet Muhammad, the Rightly Guided Caliphs and Jesus Christ (عبقرية محمد, عبقرية عمر, عبقريةالصديق, عبقرية عثمان, عبقرية الإمام علي, عبقرية خالد, عبقرية المسيح)

Al-Mutanabbī (أبو الطيب المتنبي) is perhaps the most famous Arabic poet ever lived. He was born in 915 in Kūfa (الكوفة), Iraq. His work is celebrated for its beautiful language and powerful imagery and is a big part of Arabic culture. Al-Mutanabbī wrote poems that praised leaders and are loved for their artistry.

He came from a humble background as the son of a water carrier but claimed to have noble ancestry. His talent for poetry allowed him to get an education. His life changed when a group called the Qarmatians (قرامطة) attacked Kūfa in 924. He joined and lived among the Banu Kalb (بنو كلب) and other Bedouin tribes. Learning their doctrines and dialect, he had many followers, and even claimed to be a Prophet (نَبيّ) – which is the reason for the name al-Mutanabbi. In Arabic, مُتَنَبِّئ denotes a person claiming to be a prophet; it may also denote fortune-teller.

In 948, Al-Mutanabbī started working with a ruler named Sayf al-Dawla (سيف الدولة – lit. Sword of the Nation or Dynasty) in Syria, where he wrote some of his best poetry. However, the challenging environment at court made him leave in 957 for Egypt. There, he upset an important government official with his poetry, which made him leave again. He traveled to other places, including Baghdad, and even helped defend Kūfa from another Qarmatian attack.

Al-Mutanabbī’s life ended when he was ambushed by bandits near Baghdad in 965 (354 AH).

The book “The Lions of the Forest/Jungle and the knowledge about the Companions” (أسد الغابة في معرفة الصحابة) is an old and remarkable book. It was completed in the year 1200 and provides detailed accounts of the Prophet Muhammad and 7,554 of his companions. The accounts are ordered alphabetically.

Ibn al-Athir (1160–1233) was a Hadith expert and historian.

“The Godfather” (1972) is a cinematic masterpiece that stands as one of the greatest films. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola and adapted from Mario Puzo’s novel of the same name, the movie delves into the complex dynamics of the Corleone family, a powerful Italian-American mafia clan, pulling the viewer into a world of loyalty, power, and betrayal.

Through the portrayal of the aging patriarch Vito Corleone and his youngest son Michael’s transformation from reluctant family outsider to ruthless mafia boss, “The Godfather” presents an engrossing tale set against the backdrop of organized crime in post-war America. Its iconic performances, notably by Marlon Brando and Al Pacino, and its profound narrative on the corrupting influence of power, have cemented its legacy as an all-time classic in cinema history.