Al-Ādāb

Al-Ādāb was a prominent Lebanese literary journal established in the latter half of the 20th century. Founded by Lebanese writer Suhayl Idrīs, its primary aim was to promote a "committed" literature, aligning with the post-World War II intellectual shift that emphasized literature's service to the people. This approach encouraged active involvement of writers and critics within the cultural spheres of various Arab regimes, often focusing on themes like national identity and post-colonial relationships with the West.1

The term adab itself has a rich history in Arabic, originally meaning "norm of conduct" or "custom." Over time, it evolved to encompass knowledge of poetry, history, rhetoric, and grammar, qualifying an individual as well-bred or adīb. In its modern usage, adab translates to "literature," but it retains a connection to "polite letters" and belles-lettres, implying a link between writing and community norms.23