THE PRELIMINARY DECLARATIVE SENTENCE IN THE DIWAN OF AL-ʿUTBI AL-QURASHI: SELECTED SAMPLES (A RHETORICAL-ANALYTICAL STUDY)

Abstract

This research presents a detailed study of the preliminary declarative sentence in the Diwan of al-‘Utbi, an Abbasid poet considered one of the obscure figures in Arabic literature. Despite his limited fame, he left a notable impact on Arabic poetry. In recent years, Professor Dr. Mujahid Mustafa Bahjat compiled al-‘Utbi’s verses into a comprehensive volume that preserves his poetic legacy. This scholarly effort marked a significant step in reviving interest in the poet and opened the door for further rhetorical and literary analysis of his work. The study focuses on the initial statement—a type of declarative sentence addressed to a recipient who neither denies nor doubts the information conveyed. Because the context does not require confirmation, the statement is presented without emphasis tools. This kind of statement is directed at someone unaware of the content or judgment being conveyed; once received, the information naturally settles in the listener’s mind without the need for reinforcement, as it initiates meaning in the psyche. This will be the focus of our study. The study highlights al-‘Utbi’s careful attention to the psychological state of his addressee and how it guides his stylistic choices—whether to emphasize or to present plainly—based on the listener’s anticipated reaction: denial, acceptance, or hesitation. Moreover, such statements in his poetry serve not only to inform but also to express figurative meanings shaped by context, allowing emotional insights such as sorrow, joy, pride, or caution to emerge.