A Historical Look at the Themes and Styles of the Shi'ah Poetry in the Literature of Andalusia

Shi’ah poetry in Andalusian period reflects the historical, political, social, literary, religious, and other conditions of that age as well as people's love for the virtues of the Prophet’s Household, especially poets and men of letters. The themes and the structures used by some of the Shi’ah poets in this period are characterized by both imitation and innovation. As for imitation, the themes and styles of the committed Shi’ah poets in the East were used by them as their model; as for the innovation, they were influenced by the literary, religious, social and political condition of their time. The Shi’ah poetry is considered as one of the poetical goals of this poetry, but has never been able to achieve the poetical ability of poets of the East, and except for some scant cases, it has always been tinted with some imitation and adaptation.