آفاق الحضارة الاسلامية

آفاق الحضارة الاسلامية

Manifestations of the Concept of Commitment in the Poetry of Rashid Salim Al‑Khoury (with Glimpses of His Prose): A Thematic Study

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Elham Keramaty 1
Ahmad Reza Heidaryan Shahri 2
1 PhD student, Department of Arabic Language and Literature, Faculty of letters and Humanities, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
2 Professor, Department of Arabic Language and Literature, Faculty of letters and Humanities, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
10.30465/afg.2026.53005.2221
Abstract
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.
Keywords
commitment
committed literature
Rashid Salim Al-Khoury
society
art
independence
unity
Subjects

 

تجلّی مفهوم تعهّد در شعر رشید سلیم الخوری (با نگاهی به نثر او): مطالعه‌ی موردی

الهام کرامتی[1]

احمدرضا حیدریان شهری*[2]

چکیده

تعهد در ادبیات به معنای درگیر شدن نویسنده، از طریق اندیشه، احساس و بیان هنری، با مسائل جامعه و دغدغه‌های زمانه خویش است. این مفهوم، به‌عنوان یکی از جلوه‌های ادبیات مدرن، در قرن نوزدهم و پس از گسترش مکاتب ادبی در اروپا شکل گرفت. پژوهش حاضر با رویکرد توصیفی-تحلیلی، به بررسی جلوه‌های تعهد در شعر و نثر رشید سلیم الخوری و نیز مضامین مورد توجه او در ادبیات متعهد می‌پردازد. یافته‌ها نشان می‌دهد که هرچند الخوری به سبب شرایط سیاسی، اجتماعی و اقتصادی ناشی از سلطه استعماری، لبنان را ترک کرد و به آمریکا مهاجرت نمود، اما هرگز از مسائل جامعه و سرنوشت هم‌وطنان خود جدا نشد. آثار او تنها بازتاب رنج‌های مردم نیست، بلکه دعوتی به رهایی، مقاومت، آگاهی و وحدت است. تعهد او در سه حوزه سیاسی، اجتماعی و دینی آشکار می‌شود؛ به‌گونه‌ای که از استقلال دفاع می‌کند، مردم را به همبستگی فرا می‌خواند و از اصول اسلامی و تساهل دینی حمایت می‌نماید. از این‌رو، ادبیات الخوری صرفاً بیان هنری فردی نیست، بلکه جلوه‌ای از مسئولیت‌پذیری اجتماعی و دیدگاهی انسانی است که در خدمت آزادی، عدالت و کرامت انسان قرار گرفته است.

کلیدواژه‌ها: تعهد، ادبیات متعهد، رشید سلیم الخوری، جامعه، هنر، استقلال، وحدت.

 


[1]دانشجوی دکتری زبان و ادبیات عربی، دانشکده ادبیات و علوم انسانی، دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد، مشهد،ایران keramaty66@gmail.com

[2] استاد گروه زبان و ادبیات عربی، دانشکده ادبیات و علوم انسانی، دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد، مشهد، ایران، (نویسنده مسئول)

. heidaryan@um.ac.ir  

The Holy Quran
Abu Haqa, Ahmad (1979), Commitment in Arabic Poetry, Beirut: Dar Al-Alam Lil Malayeen. [in Arabic]
Ibn Atheer (1995), Al-Mathal Al-Sair, Edited by Muhammad Muhyi Al-Din Abdul Hamid, Vol. 2, Beirut: Al-Maktaba Al-Asriyah . [in Arabic].
Ibn Manzur (1955), Lisan Al-Arab, N.D., Beirut: Dar Sader . [in Arabic].
Abbas, Ihsan (1992), Trends in Contemporary Arabic Poetry, 2nd ed., Beirut: Dar Al-Shorouk for Publishing and Distribution, Amman, and The Arab Center for the Distribution of Publications . [in Arabic].
Ismail, Izz al-Din. (1982). al-Adab wa Qadaya al-Asr. Dar al-Awda: Beirut. [in Arabic].
Yaacoub, Emile Badi’ and Assi, Michel (1085), The Detailed Lexicon in Language and Literature, Vol. 1, Beirut: Dar Al-Alam Lil Malayeen . [in Arabic].
Al-Babili, Fouad Omar Ali (2003-2004), Commitment in the Poetry of Muhammad Al-Tuhami: An Analytical Study, Gaza: Islamic University . [in Arabic].
Al-Bahrawi, Sayed (2001), The Social Approach to Literature, 8th ed., Cairo: Dar Al-Maaref . [in Arabic].
Al-Baeini, Najib (1991), Contemporary Arab Poets: Studies and Selections, Beirut: Dar Al-Manahel. [in Arabic].
Baydoun, Haidar Tawfiq (1993), The Rural Poet Rashid Salim Khoury, Beirut: Dar Al-Kutub Al-Ilmiyah . [in Arabic] 
Hamawi, Taqi Al-Din (1987), Khizanat Al-Adab, 1st ed., Edited by Issam Shaeito, Qom: Dar and Maktabat Al-Hilal. . [in Arabic].
Khafaji, Muhammad Abd Al-Mun’im (1986), The Story of Mahjar Literature, Beirut: Dar Al-Kitab Al-Lubnani . [in Arabic].
Al-Khoury, Rashid Salim (1971), Diwan Al-Qarawi, Ministry of Information, General Directorate of Culture . [in Arabic].
Al-Khoury, Rashid Salim (1984), Al-Qarawi’s Prose Works, Beirut: Dar Al-Raid Al-Arabi. [in Arabic]  
Al-Daqqaq, Omar (1971), Al-Qarawi the Revolutionary Poet, Beirut: Dar Al-Anwar . [in Arabic].
Dakkar, Elias (2019), The Reality of Religious Tolerance Between Christianity and Islam - A Comparative Analytical Study, Université Abdelkader, Constantine, Algeria . [in Arabic].
Dauny, Benoît (2005), Literature and Commitment (From Pascal to Sartre), Translated by Muhammad Barrada, Cairo: The Supreme Council for Culture. [in Arabic] 
Zarkub, Mansoureh (2023), Combating Colonialism in the Mirror of Arabic Poetry “Nahda Era”, Journal of Human Sciences, Studies in Human Sciences, Vol. 8. [in Persian]
Zamakhshari, Jarallah (N.D.), Asas Al-Balagha, Beirut: Dar Al-Sader. [in Arabic] 
Sajjadi, Sayyed Saeed (1394 SH), An Intertextual Study of the Quran in the Poetry of Rashid Salim Al-Khoury, Muhammad Reza Azizi Pour, Thesis, Faculty of Literature and Foreign Languages: University of Kurdistan [in Persian]
Sharara, Abd Al-Latif (1966), The Rural Poet, Beirut: Dar Sader . (In Arabic).
Abd Al-Dayim, Saber (1993), Mahjar Literature, Cairo: Dar Al-Maaref. [in Arabic] 
Al-Khunain, Nasser Abd Al-Rahman (1987), Islamic Commitment in Poetry, Riyadh: Dar Al-Asalah for Culture, Publishing and Media. . (In Arabic).
Abd Al-Nour, Jabour (1984), The Literary Lexicon, Beirut: Dar Al-Alam Lil Malayeen. . [in Arabic].
Abdi, Salah Al-Din and Askari, Leileh (1392 SH), Commitment in the Poems of Abd Al-Wahhab Al-Bayati, Critical Insights, Third Year, Issue Twelve . [in Arabic] 
Alawi, Qais (1971), Obligation and Commitment in Ancient Arabic Poetry During the First Abbasid Era as a Choice, Beirut: Dar Al-Kutub Al-Ilmiyah. [in Arabic] .
Al-Qaisi, Nouri Hamoudi (1979), The Writer and Commitment, Baghdad: Dar Al-Hurriya for Printing  [in Arabic].
Ismail, Izz Al-Din (1966), Contemporary Arabic Poetry, 3rd ed., Cairo: Dar Al-Fikr Al-Arabi . [in Arabic].
Hilal, Muhammad Ghoneimi (1973), Modern Literary Criticism, Cairo: Dar Al-Shaab . [in Arabic].
Farraj, Ahmad (2003), Culture and Globalization, Conflict of Identities and Challenges, Research Book of the Fourth Conference for the Western and Central Delta Region . [in Arabic].
Fairuzabadi (1983), Al-Qamus Al-Muhit, Vol. 4, 4th ed., N.P.: Dar Al-Ma’moun. [in Arabic].
Qutb, Muhammad. (1983). Manāhij al-Fann al-Islāmī. Beirut: Dār al-Sharq. [in Arabic] 
Madi, Shukri Aziz (1986), On the Theory of Literature, 1st ed., Beirut: Al-Maktaba Al-Asriyah . [in Arabic].
Kanafani, Ghassan (2015). Al-Adab al-Filasṭīnī al-Muqāwim taḥta al-Iḥtilāl [Palestinian Resistance Literature Under Occupation]. Beirut: Karky Press. [in Arabic] 
Murad Muhammad, Naima (N.D.), The Andalusian League (The Migration of Arabic Literature to South America), Alexandria: Maaref Al-Matba’i . [in Arabic] 
Wahba, Magdi (1974), Dictionary of Literary Terms, 1st ed., Beirut: Dar Al-Qalam Press . [in Arabic].
Al-Hawwari, Salah Al-Din (2001), Poets of the Southern Mahjar, Beirut: Dar Al-Manahel . [in Arabic].
Al-Hawwari, Salah Al-Din (2009), Poets of the Southern Mahjar, Beirut: Dar Al-Maktaba Al-Hilal. [in Arabic] 
Haghayeghi, Zahra, Sedighi, Bahar, & Heidarian Shahri, Ahmad reza. (2025). Analysis of Critical Thinking in Migration Novels: Abbas Maroufi's Tamaman Makhsus and Samuel Shimon's An Iraqi in Paris. Research in Contemporary World Literature, 30(1), 259-287. [in Persian]
Heydarian Shahri, Ahmadreza; Neda Tasdighi (2011 A.D.) ‘A Comparative Reading of Resilience Manifestations in Contemporary Iranian and Palestinian Poetry (A Case Study of the Poetry of Mu’in Beshiso and Qaisar Aminpour)’ Quarterly of Literary Criticism and Comparative Studies (Researches in Arabic Language and Literature), Vol: 1, Issue: 3, pp. 105-125. [in Persian]
Karamati, Elham; Ahmad Reza Heydarian Shahri (2024 A.D.) ‘Analysis of the Image of Jihad and Resistance Against Arrogance in the Poetry of Rashid Salim al-Khuri’ Journal of Arabic Literature Criticism, Vol: 15, Issue: 29, pp. 64-78. [in Persian].
Chaudhary, Latif, Shahz(2015) , (COAXING BETWEEN RELIGION  AND LITERATURE )  International Academic Conference Proceedings Vienna, Austria The West East Institute. [in English]   ،
YAZICI , Hüseyin ,(2021), A Contemporary Abu Talib: Reşîd Selîm al-Hûrî (Fears and Complexes), Şarkiyat Mecmuası Journal of Oriental Studies Şarkiyat Mecmuası - Journal of Oriental Studies. [in Turkish].
Masarwaha, Nader, (,2013) , Religious Beliefs in Pre­Islamic Poetry,  Sociology Study ISSN. [in English] 
 
 
 
آفاق الحضارة الاسلامية

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 29 June 2026

  • Receive Date 05 October 2025
  • Revise Date 24 May 2026
  • Accept Date 10 June 2026
  • Publish Date 29 June 2026