Commitment refers to the writer’s engagement—through thought, emotion, and artistic expression—with the issues of his society and the concerns of his time, without compulsion or coercion. As an ideological concept with general principles, commitment is a modern idea that emerged in the nineteenth century following the flourishing of various literary schools in Europe.
Using a descriptive-analytical approach, this study seeks to identify the forms of commitment in the poetry and prose of Rashid Salim Al‑Khoury and to examine the themes he addressed in his committed literature. The study concludes that although Rashid Salim Al‑Khoury left his homeland, Lebanon, for the American diaspora due to political, social, and economic circumstances resulting from colonial domination (French and British), he was not indifferent to the events of his society. Rather, he remained closely connected to his compatriots and maintained a strong bond with the issues of his community. His poems and writings were not merely reflections of his people’s suffering; they were cries for liberation, resistance, and unity, clearly demonstrating the role of committed literature in confronting the challenges of that era.
The study shows that Rashid Salim Al‑Khoury’s commitment manifested itself politically, socially, and religiously through his struggle for independence, his call for unity, and his defense of Islamic principles and tolerance. In terms of his contribution to the issues of his society, it becomes evident that his literature was not an isolated artistic stance, but rather a comprehensive human vision and a profound sense of responsibility. He employed the written word as a tool for awakening and enlightenment, placing his literary production—both poetry and prose—at the service of the causes of freedom, justice, and dignity for the nation.
Keywords: commitment, committed literature, Rashid Salim Al-Khoury, society, art, independence, unity.
Introduction
Literature reflects society’s hopes, anxieties, and struggles, and the committed writer plays an important role in expressing collective consciousness and defending social values. Rashid Salim al-Khuri (al-Qarawi) is a notable example of such a writer. As an influential Arab poet, he wrote during a period shaped by colonial rule, national awakening, and deep social and cultural change in the Arab world. His poetry and prose were not limited to aesthetic expression; rather, they responded directly to the major issues of his era, especially the Palestinian struggle, Arab unity, and moral and spiritual reform.
The idea of “commitment” is essential for understanding al-Khuri’s literary project. For him, literature was not a detached artistic activity, but a meaningful social responsibility. He saw writing as a means to defend justice, support rights, and awaken the consciousness of his people. His works are therefore not only literary achievements, but also records of Arab cultural memory and examples of literature’s ability to support resistance and resilience in times of crisis. Al-Khuri’s commitment was broad and interconnected, including political, social, and religious dimensions, which makes his writings worthy of systematic study.
This research is important because al-Khuri occupies a significant place in Arab resistance literature. Studying his commitment offers lessons in solidarity, justice, and the role of the intellectual in shaping public awareness. Although previous studies have recognized his nationalist and anti-colonial orientation, there is still a need for a more systematic examination of how his social and religious concerns are connected to his political position. This study therefore asks two main questions: first, what are the main forms of political, social, and religious commitment in al-Khuri’s writings? Second, how do his works reflect his response to the major social issues of his time and reveal his role as a committed intellectual and artist?
Materials and Methods
This study uses a descriptive-analytical approach, which is appropriate for examining literary texts that express ideological, ethical, and social positions. The descriptive part identifies the different forms of commitment in al-Khuri’s writing, while the analytical part interprets their meaning, purpose, and effect.
The primary sources are Rashid Salim al-Khuri’s collected poetry and his published prose works. Textual samples were selected through a deductive method based on three pre-defined themes: political, social, and religious commitment. Relevant poems and prose passages were then chosen for close analysis because they clearly represent these categories.
Each selected text was examined qualitatively in terms of language, imagery, tone, subject matter, and rhetorical strategies. The aim was to identify how commitment is expressed, what issues it addresses, and what impact it seeks to produce. This method also makes it possible to show the connections between the different dimensions of al-Khuri’s commitment and to understand the integrated nature of his literary vision. In this way, his writing can be read not only as art, but also as a vehicle for social criticism, ideological expression, and moral advocacy.
Discussion and Results
The findings show that commitment in Rashid Salim al-Khuri’s literary works appears through three closely related dimensions: political, social, and religious. These dimensions are not separate; rather, they work together to form a unified committed vision across his oeuvre.
Political commitment is one of the clearest features of al-Khuri’s poetry. His verses strongly oppose colonial domination, injustice, and the suppression of Arab rights, especially in relation to Palestine. He uses poetry as a call to resistance, sacrifice, and freedom. Instead of merely describing suffering, he turns poetry into a tool for awakening awareness and encouraging collective action. His language is passionate and forceful, transforming the poem into a form of protest and a means of defending national dignity.
Social commitment is also central to his work. Al-Khuri calls for unity, solidarity, and moral reform within Arab society. He criticizes division, oppression, and moral decline, while encouraging justice, cooperation, and ethical responsibility. He frequently urges people to overcome tribal and sectarian differences and to strengthen national identity through common purpose. His social concerns also include questions of morality and behavior, particularly his support for women’s modesty and hijab, which he presents as signs of dignity, chastity, and virtue. This shows that his social commitment is rooted in a strong sense of responsibility toward the moral renewal of society.
Religious commitment in al-Khuri’s writings is marked by tolerance and respect for other faiths. Although he was a Christian, he expressed admiration for Islam, praised the Prophet Muhammad, and used Quranic language and ideas in his poetry. This reflects both his respect for Islamic civilization and his belief in shared moral values across religions. His religious commitment is therefore inclusive rather than exclusive, emphasizing coexistence, common spiritual ground, and mutual respect.
Overall, the study finds that al-Khuri’s commitment is holistic and integrated. His political struggle, social reformism, and religious tolerance are deeply connected within one ethical and literary framework aimed at serving the Arab nation and affirming human dignity. His works demonstrate the strong relationship between literary expression, ideological conviction, and national responsibility.
Conclusion
Rashid Salim al-Khuri is a major example of the committed poet in modern Arab literature. His work combines political resistance, social reform, and religious tolerance within a unified humanistic vision. Through his poetry and prose, he defended the Palestinian cause, supported Arab unity and justice, and promoted moral integrity and interfaith understanding.
This study concludes that al-Khuri’s commitment was more than a literary stance; it was a comprehensive ethical and national mission. His writings helped awaken consciousness, preserve dignity, and inspire action. By placing his talent in the service of his people and nation, he became a model of the writer as a socially responsible intellectual. His legacy continues to show how literature can support resistance, strengthen solidarity, and promote universal human values.