Al-Farazdaq: Difference between revisions

Hammam b. Ghalib known as Farazdaq was among famous Arab poets in the first and second centuries AH. The ode he composed spontaneously in front of Hisham b. ‘Abd al-Malik in praise of Imam al-Sajjad (a) is famous.

Farazdaq respected the Ahl al-Bayt (a), but he also composed poems in praise of Umayyad caliphs and thus he cannot be placed in the same rank as Kumayt and Di’bil who greatly loved the Ahl al-Bayt (a).

Hammam b. Ghalib Sa’sa’a b. ‘Iqal was considered among the great personalities of Bani Tamim. His father, Ghalib was also a generous and honorable person and was among the chiefs of his people. His mother Leyli bt. Habis was the sister of Aqra’ b. Habis Tamimi who was a companion of the Prophet (a). In historical sources, there is no mention of the exact year of his birth and with regards to the disagreement existing about the year of his death, his birth can be guessed between 19 to 23 AH.

His kunya was Abu Firas and his title was Farazdaq. He had five children named Labta, Sabta, Khabta, Rakda and Zam’a who were all poets.

Farazdaq was among the greatest poets of his time (Umayyad period). Factors such as being Bedouin, attendance in most eloquent Arab tribes and his cleverness in answering made an appropriate ground for his poetic talent to be flourished. They said that without Farazdaq, one third of Arabic lexicon and a half of hadiths and reports would be lost. Farazdaq’s poetic talent mostly matched satire and most of his poems were either in the form of satire or tribal pride.

In Sunni sources, Farazdaq is considered Shi’a. Maybe, his meeting with Imam Ali (a), memorizing the Qur’an because of Imam’s (a) advice, composing poems in criticism of Ibn Muljim, going to Kufa which was the center of Shi’a, his meeting with Imam al-Husayn (a) in his journey to Kufa, composing elegies for him and most important of all, composing poems in praise of Imam Zayn al-‘Abidin (a) in the presence of Hisham b. ‘Abd al-Malik were among the top reasons for which he has been considered among Shi’a.

=== Farazdaq and Imam Ali (a) ===

Once Farazdaq and his father went to Imam Ali (a). Imam (a) asked, “who is it?” Ghalib answered, “it is my son who is a poet.” Imam (a) said, “Teach him the Qur’an which is better than poetry.” It is reported that after this event, he tied his feet until he memorized the Qur’an.

In the events of 60 AH, it is mentioned that Farazdaq went to Mecca for hajj and met Imam al-Husayn (a) in Saffah station. Imam (a) asked him about the state of the people of Kufa and he answered, “I left them while their hearts were with you and their swords were against you (or in another version ‘with Umayyads’).”

During the rule of Walid b. ‘Abd al-Malik, his crown prince and his brother Hisham b. ‘Abd al-Malik went to Mecca for hajj. During tawaf, he went toward Hajar al-Aswad to touch it, but he could not approach it because of the crowd. Thus inevitably, he returned. They put up a seat for him in a high place and he began watching the crowd from there. Meanwhile, Imam al-Sajjad (a) arrived and after tawaf went to Hajar al-Aswad. With all the congestion existed, the crowd opened the way for Imam (a) so that Imam (a) could approach Hajar al-Aswad. Companions of Hisham became surprised. One of them asked him, “who is he?” Although Hisham knew Imam (a), answered, “I do not know him.”

At that time, Farazdaq bravely said, “but I know him.” He stood in a high position and composed his famous poem introducing Imam al-Sajjad (a). Hisham ordered to cut Farazdaq’s allowance from the public treasure and imprisoned him in ‘Asfan between Mecca and Medina.

Praising Imam (a) in the suffocating political atmosphere at that time, especially in the presence of Hisham, is not only an evidence for his courage and bravery deserving admiration, but also proves his respect for this family. When Imam al-Sajjad (a) was informed about him being imprisoned, sent twelve thousand Dirhams for him. Farazdaq sent back that money and said, “I praised you for the content of God, not for a gift.” Imam (a) sent the money again and said, “we the Ahl al-Bayt (a) do not take back what we bestow someone.”

Kumayt b. Zayd Asadi had a tribal bond with Farazdaq. When Kumayt composed “Qasa’id Hashimiyyat” in praise of the Ahl al-Bayt (a), sent them to Farazdaq to check their quality. After Farazdaq heard his poems, said, “well-done son, you have mentioned so well saying that ‘you have given up hoodlums and outlaws and your shot would never be missed and your speech would not be rejected’…spread these poems and confront with the enemy for you are a better poet than everyone in the past and the present.”

With all the respect Farazdaq had for the Ahl al-Bayt (a), his attention toward Umayyad caliphs and attending in their system, considering the social role and position of a poet and the influence poems could make at that time, is questionable and thus he cannot be placed in the same rank as Kumayt or Di’bil who were lovers of the Ahl al-Bayt (a).

Farazdaq attended the courts of Umayyad caliphs including Walid, Sulayman and others and composed poems in approval of their position. Those poems show Farazdaq’s view about caliphate and at least draw him out of the realm of ideological Shi’a. However, he cannot be considered a mere court poet. He also composed satires against the manner of some Arab rulers who behaved opposite to the principles of Islam. His satires about Ziyad b. Abih and Mu’awiya are examples of that.

Farazdaq transmitted hadiths from Imam Ali (a), Imam al-Husayn (a), Abu Hurayra, Abu Sa’id Khidri, ‘Arfaja b. As’ad, Zurara b. Karb and Tirimmah b. ‘Uday, the poet and Khalid Hadha’, Marwan Asghar, Hajjaj b. Hajjaj and others transmitted hadiths from him.

According to the famous report, Farazdaq passed away in 110 AH, at the age of 91 in Basra.