STUDI KASUS NISBAH DALAM PUISI ARAB KLASIK: KONTRIBUSI NISBAH PADA ESTETIKA DAN KEJELASAN MAKNA

Abstract

This study aims to examine the role and function of nisbah in classical Arabic poetry, with a specific focus on the works of Abū al-Ṭayyib al-Mutanabbī. Nisbah, in Arabic grammar, refers to a morphological derivation that typically ends in the suffix "-iyy" and expresses affiliation with a place, tribe, idea, or characteristic. However, in poetic expression, nisbah often extends beyond its formal grammatical function and serves symbolic, semantic, and rhetorical purposes. Utilizing a qualitative approach through library research, this study analyzes selected verses from Al-Mutanabbī’s poetry using classical Arabic morphology and literary stylistics as analytical frameworks. The findings reveal that nisbah serves a dual function: first, as a stylistic device that enhances poetic rhythm, rhyme, and sound harmony; second, as a semantic shortcut for conveying deep cultural, ideological, and personal meanings. Al-Mutanabbī employs nisbah both explicitly and implicitly to assert identity, evoke imagery, represent dualities such as intellect and valor, and deliver social critique with rhetorical subtlety. The study demonstrates that nisbah is not merely a grammatical structure but a layered poetic mechanism that contributes significantly to both the aesthetic beauty and interpretive clarity of classical Arabic poetry. These insights offer a deeper appreciation of the linguistic sophistication and cultural richness embedded in the works of pre-modern Arabic poets.