The Approach towards Fate and Divine Revelation in Martial Poetry

Abstract

This study aims to shed light on the influence of the Arab Hamas poetry on the war poetry of Shmuel Hanagid. Despite the influence in terms of structure and content, there are differences regarding victory in battle. The attitude of love for God and faith in Him as a contributing factor to victory in Hanagid's poetry, compared to fate as a decisive object in battle in the Arab poet. The research constitutes another pillar in the discourse because it concerns Fate and the love of God, themes prominent in abstinence poetry. The image of Fate is at the heart of Samuel Hanagid’s (993-1056) martial poetry. He attributed his victories in war to Heaven and to the fate that was pre-ordained by God. Fate and faith in God are the principle cause for victory according to his martial poems. These poems reflect his religious views. Samuel Hanagid differed from Abu Tammām (788–846) in his view and also in the function he fulfilled. Here I wish to point out an interesting finding that has not been discussed in research. Samuel Hanagid was a general, who headed an army and conducted battles on site, experienced the dangers of war personally, and his victories are attributed to God because he believed with deep faith that God determines fate. While the poet Abu Tammām wrote his Hamasa poetry far from the battlefield, without any danger to his life, describes the battles and the heroism in general descriptions, and attributes military victory to the army and the soldiers, and, of course, to the king, who is praised highly in the poem. Analyzing examples from the poetry of both poets allows us to draw conclusions regarding the rest of martial poems, and to identify clearly the poets’ differing views of Fate and its influence on human beings.

Key Words: Fate, faith in God, Ḥamāsa poetry, martial poems, Divine Revelation, Hanagid, Abu Tammām

DOI: 10.7176/JLLL/106-04

Publication date: June 30^th 2025