The Boundaries of Speech and the Aesthetics of Silence in Classical Arabic Poetry: An Inquiry into Virtuous Silence (á1ᴷᴇamt)
Journal of Daoist Studies, cilt.19, ss.681-692, 2026 (Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 19
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Daoist Studies
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.681-692
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Classical Arabic Poetry, Conciseness (Ījāz), Eloquence (Balāghah), Islamic Wisdom Tradition, Silence (Sukūt), Ṣamt
- Akdeniz Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
This study examines the moral, intellectual, and rhetorical dimensions of virtuous silence (ṣamt) in classical Arabic poetry at the intersection of Arabic literature and the Islamic wisdom tradition. In ancient Arabic culture, where speech and eloquence were considered the primary indicators of social prestige, identity, and ultimate rhetoric, silence was conceptualized not as passive incapacity or muteness, but as a conscious moral discipline, an internal self-regulation, and a strategic protective shield. Spanning the literary heritage from the Pre-Islamic period to the Islamic and Abbasid eras, poets characterized the uncontrolled expenditure of speech, detached from prior reflection, as a realm of "bane" that exposes humans to irreversible ruin. Nourished by the Hadith tradition, Sufi teachings, and moral literature, this poetic vision positions silence as an insurmountable refuge against error, an aesthetic veil concealing ignorance and flaws, a hallmark of character maturity, and a source of dignity. The verses of prominent poets analyzed within the scope of this study reveal the profound connection between silence and the concepts of eloquence (balāghah) and conciseness (ījāz) in Arabic rhetorical theory. By condensing narratives that would otherwise span pages into a single instance of keeping silent, these poets transformed silence into the highest form of expression. Consequently, classical Arabic poets regarded the delicate balance between speech and silence as a fundamental moral principle, demonstrating that true wisdom lies not merely in eloquent speaking, but in recognizing the exact moment when silence serves as the most eloquent response.