THE ARTISTIC IMAGE OF BOLDNESS AND RETREAT IN THE POETRY OF AL-FARAZDAQ

Abstract

 Boldness is a sought-after and desirable psychological and human state, inherent in every human being - whether positively or negatively - requiring stimuli to make it strong and prominent in a specific individual or a particular poet, becoming a prominent feature in their poetry. Retreat, on the other hand, is also a psychological state like boldness, needing stimuli to move and motivate it, transforming it from a psychological state into a manifested action that a person undertakes to preserve either their wealth or soul. This belief stems from the notion that stinginess preserves wealth, or that cowardice, fear, fleeing, and avoiding inevitable fate prolong one's life, neglecting or forgetting the saying: "For every term is a book." There is no escape from this inevitable term, as stated: "Say, 'I possess not for myself any harm or benefit except what Allah should will. For every nation is a [specified] term. When their time has come, they will not remain behind an hour, nor will they precede [it].'" Al-Farazdaq is one of the poets whose works clearly exhibit the motives of boldness and retreat. Notably, the depiction of war and religion serves as significant stimuli in his poetry. This research categorizes boldness and retreat based on positivity and negativity, with positive boldness being a pillar of courage and wise tackling of difficult matters, while negative boldness driven by emotion leads to recklessness and regret. Positive retreat, governed by reason, patience, and wisdom, contrasts with negative retreat, laying the foundation for hesitance, reluctance, and cowardice. Al-Farazdaq's poetry provides ample examples and evidence of positive and negative boldness, as well as positive and negative retreat.