𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗪𝗔𝗥

 

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗪𝗔𝗥 ✍️

Edgar Alan Poe has to be one of the most interesting yet underappreciated figures in American literary tradition. I was first drawn to his literary genius after coming across the following verse from his poem, inspired by the Angel Israfeel ... ᴛᴏᴛᴛᴇʀɪɴɢ ᴀʙᴏᴠᴇ ɪɴ ʜᴇʀ ʜɪɢʜᴇꜱᴛ ɴᴏᴏɴ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴇɴᴀᴍᴏᴜʀᴇᴅ ᴍᴏᴏɴ, ʙʟᴜꜱʜᴇꜱ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴡʜɪʟᴇ ᴛᴏ ʟɪꜱᴛᴇɴ, ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇᴅ ʟᴇᴠɪɴ ᴘᴀᴜꜱᴇꜱ ɪɴ ʜᴇᴀᴠᴇɴ An exquisite verse... But there is more to this poet than his clear interest in Islamic texts and sacred figures, which inspires an added depth to his poetry. Those familiar with Poe will know that he is a very versatile author and extremely opaque character in many ways (if not even macabre at times), nevertheless - his occasional citation of Quranic verses including a lengthy poem entitled Al-'Araaf (named after the Surah) are certainly noteworthy. But he wasn't alone in this regard. Khalil Gibran (Lebanese-American Maronite Christian) is yet another tremendously talented poet and playwright who borrows a great deal of imagery and reference from Islamic traditions and heritage. In his famous poetic epic "the Prophet" (one of the most translated and widely published books in the history of American Literature) he introduces the readership to the main character named "al-Mostafa" in whose travels and adventures many of life's most critical questions are answered in deep poetic prose. It becomes very apparent early on in this journey, that the author has been deeply influenced by early Islamic history, too (among other things). So what does this have to do with a history channel you may ask? 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 In fact, when war erupts - we find that much of the loot extradited includes rare Art and ancient manuscripts. When nations seek reconciliation, part of the compensation often involves "returning stolen Art". The British Museum would not exist if it weren't for the many wars fought in foreign lands. History and Culture go hand in hand, the Sword and the Pen are both potent instruments that either subjugate one people under the influence of another or serve as means of liberation, both physically and mentally. Some of the West's greatest advocates and supporters of Islam and of the Muslims, very often began their journey by literary adventure that began between the pages of ancient Arab and Persian poets leading them to the heart of the Islamic worldview itself. Cultural gaps can be bridged through the medium of literature and literary expression. Several years ago, I was sent on an assignment to cover an Art exhibition covering the preservation of ancient Qur'an manuscripts and artefacts from central Asia. The main organiser was a good friend whose lifelong ambition is to restore ancient Qur'anic manuscripts found in Afghanistan and Iran once told me that Art is a measure and index for Peace, because true Art can only be produced where a society finds stability and flourishes. A Nation at war has no time to busy itself with beautiful things. He connected the declining state of several Muslim nations with their ability (or lack thereof) to produce art for the world to enjoy.... "If the Americans stop these wars - Then we can produce more Art" He uttered these words as he showed me ancient handwritten manuscripts from Persia, explaining that it had taken a particular scribe over a decade to complete one copy! Likewise, the handwovens Persian carpets on display also required years of dedicated labour and expertise to complete... "What takes a lifetime to master and many many years to craft - can take only an instant, to destroy" Such profound observations and amazing insights reminded me only of a profound statement from one of the Muslim rulers toppled in a coup when he said "I have never seen a revolutionary group, rebuild what they have helped destroy". He also mentioned that one way to justify wartime tragedy is by dehumanising a people, the best way to strip a people of their humanity is to demolish the Art and Cultural accomplishments. It's difficult to dehumanise a people whose Artistic expression clearly testifies to their civilisation and sophisticated nature. The Battle of 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙨 and Minds.... So many ancient sites in Mesopotamia were drawn down to rubble during the war against terror, the communities and people in those regions characterised as uncivilised savages in need of liberation and elevation. What I learned from that encounter was that Art and Culture are intricately connected to War and Conflict. Where one prevails the other is undermined, and visa versa. This moment of reflection also brought another famous American poet's words to life when he said - ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏɴʟʏ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ᴡᴇ ᴄʜɪʟʟ, ɪꜱ ᴡʜᴇɴ ᴡᴇ ᴋɪʟʟ- ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ. ɪᴛ ᴛᴀᴋᴇꜱ ꜱᴋɪʟʟ - ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ʀᴇᴀʟ, ᴛʀʏɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ʜᴇᴀʟ- ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ. In the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, wars could be triggered between tribes and continue for decades on the basis of a few well crafted words uttered by a poet from the rival clan. Likewise, bitter conflicts could be quelled and remediated through a few verses in praise of the lineage and pedigree of a once hated enemy tribe. Nothing really changed. Language, Artistic expression and literature are powerful mediums that are often underexploited. There is perhaps no better way to build bridges and mend old wounds than to show appreciation for the Cultural achievements of the "other", this is most effective through the medium of literature. There is also no better way to malign a people and dehumanise them than to destroy their Art and Cultural capital. The American Poet also lamented... ꜱᴏ ᴍᴀɴʏ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴛʜɪɴɢꜱ ꜰᴏʀ ᴜꜱ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴛʜɪɴɢꜱ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴇᴇ, ᴏᴜʀ ʜɪꜱᴛᴏʀʏ ꜱᴏ ꜰᴜʟʟ ᴏꜰ ᴛʀᴀɢᴇᴅʏ ᴀɴᴅ ᴍɪꜱᴇʀʏ This is a truth attested to by the vitriolic and incessant denial of any possible cause to believe that the mighty Pyramids of Egypt could have been the product of a "black race", certainly - it would be a tragedy of epic proportion to enslave a people capable of such tremendous ingenuity and artistic accomplishments. Savage people are easier to commodify...it's a shame that the descendants of those brilliant people now voluntarily call themselves "Savages" (the poison runs deep). True Beauty transcends cultural and language barriers, it is also a universally accepted standard of appreciation. When a Western reader shows appreciation for Eastern Art and literature - something wonderful happens, bridges are built and the barriers are broken. Likewise, when outsiders show appreciation for the artistic exploits of the Western world, something equally as beautiful is born and a connection is made. Evidence of this can be found in the writings of Sheikh Rifat at-Tahtawi, the Azhari scholar who travelled to Paris and spent 5 years there during the early 19th century - under the patronage of Mehmet Ali Pasha himself. Upon his return to Alexandria, Tahtawi brought back with him a vast treasury of Cultural and Artistic expression - acquired during his stay in Paris - the rest is History. Getting back to the original line of thought, Edgar Alan Poe and his reading of the Qur'an and study of Islamic lore lead to. We find in his writings - evidence of deep thinking and contemplation that extended beyond his own immediate environment and reached into that of a foreign and unknown world, outside that with which he was most familiar with. His poem "A Dream within a Dream" bears striking resemblance to Imam Ali Ibn Abi Taalib's eloquent prose on the reality of Death, which in the moment of occurrence provides an Awakening of the real senses. الناس نيام فإذا ماتوا انتبهوا Who knows, perhaps like Goethe - Poe may have also had a deeper experience and connection to Islam.... 𝘼 𝘿𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢 𝙒𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝘿𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢 Take this kiss upon the brow, and, in parting from you now Thus much let me avow — You are not wrong, who deem That my days have been a dream. Yet if hope has flown away - In a night, or in a day. In a vision, or in none, Is it therefore the less gone? All that we see or seem, Is but a dream within a dream. I stand amid the roar, Of a surf-tormented shore. And I hold within my hand Grains of the golden sand — How few! yet how they creep Through my fingers to the deep, While I weep — while I weep.. O God! Can I not grasp Them with a tighter clasp? O God! can I not save One from the pitiless wave? Is all that we see or seem But a dream within a dream?