The Role of Arabic Poetry in Disseminating the Prophetic Biography and Teaching Moral Values

This research examines the role of Arabic poetry in disseminating the Prophetic biography (Sirah) and teaching moral values in Islamic society since the advent of Islam. Before Islam, Arabic poetry functioned as the primary medium for preserving history and social values, which facilitated its later use in transmitting the events of the Prophet Muhammad’s life. Islam redirected the function of poetry from serving tribal pride to serving the Islamic message, making it a tool for defending the Prophet, spreading the message, and instilling ethical values. The study shows that Arabic poetry played a significant role in portraying the Prophet’s character and highlighting his moral qualities, such as honesty, justice, mercy, and patience. It also highlights the contributions of Sirah poets, particularly Hassan ibn Thabit and Ka‘b ibn Zuhayr, in combining artistic expression with moral education. The research concludes that Arabic poetry served as an effective educational and moral instrument in preserving the Sirah and transmitting Islamic ethical values across generations.