Lecture Notes: Classical Arabian Literature and Pre-Islamic Arabia

Fill-in-the-blank flashcards generated from lecture notes on pre-Islamic Arabia and classical Arabic literature.

The root word of 'Arabia' in Semitic languages is __.

Arab

The three seas bordering the Arabian Peninsula are __.

Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf

The largest desert in Arabia, also called the 'Empty Quarter,' is __.

Rub' al-Khali

Two Arabian cities that were major caravan hubs are __.

Mecca, Medina

Non-Arab monotheists in pre-Islamic Arabia who rejected idol worship were __.

Hanifs

Two minority religions in pre-Islamic Arabia aside from polytheism were __.

Jews, Christians

Three continents connected by Arabia's trade position are __.

Asia, Africa, Europe

Three values shaped by the Bedouin desert lifestyle are __.

Resilience, survival skills, deep connection to land/water

The sacred site in Mecca that once housed idols is __.

Kaaba

Three Semitic prophets mentioned in the Qur'an besides Muhammad are __.

Noah, Moses, Jesus

Three functions of the majlis are __.

Discuss community matters, mediate disputes, socialize

Two countries today where majlis is still central are __.

Saudi Arabia, UAE (also Oman)

Two items always served together in Arabian hospitality rituals are __.

Coffee and dates

Traditional vessel for pouring Arabic coffee is __.

Dallah

Polite gesture done to refuse more coffee is __.

Shaking the cup

Former and current jockeys in camel racing are __.

Young boys (traditional), robot jockeys (modern)

Two symbolic meanings of henna in Arabian weddings are __.

Joy, protection (also blessing)

Three common occasions for henna use are __.

Weddings, Henna Night, Eid

Two themes reflected in Nabati (Bedouin) poetry are __.

Honor, love (also bravery, tribal pride)

Three modern countries where falconry is still prestigious are __.

UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia (also Oman)

Four recurring themes in classical Arabian poetry are __.

Praise of rulers, nature, tribal honor, boastful pride

Two common subjects of satirical or lampooning verses are __.

Enemies, rivals

Three values highlighted in storytelling traditions are __.

Greed, poverty, changing fortunes

Term for vernacular Bedouin oral poetry is __.

Nabati poetry

Four themes explored in One Thousand and One Nights are __.

Romance, family, conflict, political issues

Two symbolic meanings of the sword dance (ardha) are __.

Unity, strength (also victory)

Three non-Arabic cultural influences on One Thousand and One Nights are __.

Indian, Persian, Greek

Two urban centers where Scheherazade's tales spread are __.

Baghdad, Damascus

Century when the earliest fragment of One Thousand and One Nights was found is __.

9th century

Three recurring topics in Arabian storytelling aside from romance are __.

Greed, poverty, fate/fortune

Number of odes in the Al-Mu'allaqat is __.

Seven odes

Meaning of 'Mu'allaqat' is __.

The Suspended Odes / The Hanging Poems

Scholar who grouped the Al-Mu'allaqat is __.

Hammad al-Rāwiyah

Century when the 'golden letters' legend of the Mu'allaqat emerged is __.

10th century

Two elements of Bedouin life reflected in the Mu'allagat are __.

Life and manners

Opening chapter of the Qur'an is __.

Al-Fatiha

Number of surahs in the Qur'an is __.

114

Number of juz' the Qur'an is divided into is __.

30

The invocation phrase at the beginning of surahs is __.

Bismillah ('In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful')

Two non-Islamic religious texts accepted as 'People of the Book' are __.

Jewish Torah, Christian Bible

Framing characters of One Thousand and One Nights are __.

Scheherazade, King Shahryar

Century when the Cairo fragment of One Thousand and One Nights appeared is __.

9th century

Two functions of The Book of Misers are __.

Social encyclopedia, satire/humor

Three types of people mocked in The Book of Misers are __.

Scribes, singers, beggars

Two contrasting values shown in The Book of Misers are __.

Greed vs. generosity

Central theme of The Ring of the Dove is __.

Love

Two emotions explored in The Ring of the Dove are __.

Joy, suffering

Central theme of The Ring of the Dove.

Love

Two emotions explored in The Ring of the Dove.

Joy, suffering (also jealousy, estrangement)

Two genres blended in The Ring of the Dove.

Poetry, philosophy/autobiography

Two universal human traits revealed by love in Ibn Hazm’s philosophy.

Vulnerability, loyalty (also longing, honesty)

Author of The Muqaddimah.

Ibn Khaldun

Arabic term for social cohesion introduced in The Muqaddimah.

Asabiyyah

Two sciences considered pioneered by The Muqaddimah.

Sociology, historiography (also demography, economics)

Three factors Ibn Khaldun linked to the rise/fall of states.

Unity/purpose, luxury, corruption/division

One medieval science refuted in The Muqaddimah.

Alchemy

Three areas (besides history) analyzed in The Muqaddimah.

Economics, education, politics (also geography, climate)

Name and meaning of Al-Mutanabbi.

“The Would-be Prophet”

Two core philosophies behind Al-Mutanabbi’s poetry.

Individualism, aspiration for greatness

Abbasid poet known for wine poems and hedonism.

Abu Nuwas

Philosopher-historian called the “Father of Sociology.”

Ibn Khaldun

Writer of The Book of Misers, also known for The Book of Animals.

Al-Jahiz