Intellectual Transformations in the Poetry of Ibn Sahl al-Ishbili

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the intellectual transformations in the poetry of Ibn Sahl al-Ishbili by exploring its political, social, and religious dimensions, in order to uncover the reflections of the Andalusian context during the 7th century AH on his poetic vision. The significance of this study lies in highlighting the relationship between the poet’s personal experience and the surrounding civilizational transformations, particularly in light of political tensions, social changes, and conflicts of religious identity. The study adopts a historical-analytical approach, utilizing tools from cultural criticism to uncover the intellectual implications embedded within the poetic texts.

The study concludes that Ibn Sahl’s poetry embodies a transition from individual mystical sentiment to an engagement with collective political and religious concerns. It reflects an intertwining of symbolic and doctrinal elements that reshape the image of the self and the world, with an intensive use of religious symbols and the language of alienation. The study also reveals the extent of Ibn Sahl’s influence by the changing Andalusian reality, making his poetry a multi-layered intellectual and emotional document.

Thus, the intellectual transformations experienced by Andalusian poets had a clear impact on their literary output, as the Andalusian era witnessed transformations in various aspects of life and thought.