Taʾabbaṭa Sharran

Ta'abba'ta Sharran was an outlaw warrior and Arab poet known for his verses that captured the wildness of Bedouin life, emphasizing ideals of bravery, revenge, and hospitality. He is particularly noted for a "Song of Revenge" composed in a short, sharp meter, which has been widely translated.1

In pre-Islamic Arabia, a shāʿir (poet) was considered a tribal dignitary whose words were thought to be supernaturally inspired. Their poetry, especially satire (hijāʾ), was a potent form of magic, crucial for tribal activities like warfare and invoking gods. Later, the poet became the tribe's spokesperson, praising its achievements and denigrating enemies. The language of pre-Islamic poetry was remarkably uniform and refined, forming the basis for classical Arabic literature.21