Compilation as Narrative Art in Medieval Islam

The Redemption of Kuthayyir in the Book of Songs

Bibliographic Data

ID21728900
AuthorsKirsten Beck (Queens College, CUNY, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume26
Issue2
Publication date2025-07-21
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCLCWeb Comparative Literature and Culture (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1481-4374 • E-ISSN: 1481-4374
PublisherPurdue University (bepress) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.7771/1481-4374.4580
OpenAlexW4412559717
LanguageEN
References cited4

This article examines the narrative art of Abū ‘l-Faraj al-Iṣbahānī’s Kitāb al-Aghānī through a close reading of the chapter on the poet Kuthayyir ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān (d. 723). Though Kuthayyir is mocked throughout for his short stature, unorthodox beliefs, and supposed insincerity, the chapter ends with a surprising scene: his death is mourned by the people of Medina in a large public funeral, suggesting a reevaluation of his character. I argue that this tonal shift is not incidental but the result of Iṣbahānī’s deliberate narrative arrangement. By analyzing the structure of the chapter—including the juxtaposition of genealogical accounts, the gradual reframing of critical reports, and the placement of poetic excerpts—I show how Iṣbahānī invites his audience to question received judgments and consider Kuthayyir’s legacy anew. Building on the work of scholars like Bilal Orfali and Julia Bray, this article contends that the Aghānī exemplifies the literary sophistication of pre-modern Arabic anthologies. Iṣbahānī’s art lies not in direct narration but in his strategic compilation of voices, which transforms Kuthayyir from a comic foil into a figure of pathos and esteem. In doing so, the Aghānī demonstrates how compilation can serve as a powerful vehicle for narrative artistry

Archaeology · Art · Islam · Literature · Narrative · Archaeology and Historical Studies · Classics · Historical and Linguistic Studies · History · Islamic Studies and History

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