Jarir ibn Atiyah
Umayyad-era Arab poet and satirist from Najd.
Jarir ibn Atiyyah al-Khatafi Al-Tamimi, an Arab poet and satirist of the Umayyad period, came from Najd, in what is now Saudi Arabia. He was born during the rule of the Rashidun caliph Uthman ibn Affan and belonged to the Kulayb tribe, itself part of the larger Banu Tamim. His home region was al-Yamamah, though he also spent time in Damascus at the courts of Umayyad caliphs.
Not much is recorded about his early years, but he managed to gain the favor of Al-Hajjaj bin Yousef, the governor of Iraq. Already well known for his poetry, he became even more famous through a long-standing rivalry with the poets Farazdaq and Akhtal. Later, he traveled to Damascus and appeared before Caliph Abd al-Malik and his successor, Al-Walid I, but neither gave him a warm reception. He had better luck with Umar II, who was the only caliph to receive him. His poetry, like that of his contemporaries, is mostly made up of satire and praise.
A lengthy series of verses by Farazdaq mocks Jarir and his tribe, the Bani Kulaib, in the course of their feud. These poems have been collected as the *Nakaid of Jarir and al-Farazdaq*. The rivalry is said to have lasted forty years, and Jarir supposedly took such pleasure in it that when he learned of Farazdaq’s death, he lost his will to live and died on the spot.
- field
- Poetry, satire
- nationality
- Arab, Umayyad-era
- known_for
- Feud with poets Farazdaq and Akhtal; Nakaid of Jarir and al-Farazdaq
Lore & Background
Jarir ibn Atiyyah al-Khatafi Al-Tamimi was an Arab poet and satirist of the Umayyad period, born in Najd, in what is now Saudi Arabia, during the caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan. He belonged to the Kulayb tribe, a subdivision of the larger Banu Tamim, and was a native of the region of al-Yamamah. Details of his early life remain scarce, but he gained prominence by securing the patronage of Al-Hajjaj bin Yousef, the powerful governor of Iraq. Already celebrated for his poetry, Jarir became widely known through a protracted poetic feud with two rival poets, Farazdaq and Akhtal. This rivalry, particularly with Farazdaq, is said to have lasted forty years and produced a long series of satirical verses exchanged between them, later compiled as the *Nakaid of Jarir and al-Farazdaq*. Jarir later traveled to Damascus, where he sought favor at the courts of the Umayyad caliphs Abd al-Malik and his successor Al-Walid I, but received a cool reception from both. He found greater success with the pious caliph Umar II, who was known to receive no other poet. Jarir’s verse, typical of his era, consists largely of satire and eulogy. According to tradition, upon learning of Farazdaq’s death, Jarir reportedly lost his will to live and died spontaneously soon after.
Reader's Guide
Jarir's significance lies in his role as a leading poet of the Umayyad period, whose work exemplifies the era's focus on satire and eulogy. His feud with Farazdaq, lasting 40 years according to tradition, produced a celebrated series of verses known as the Nakaid of Jarir and al-Farazdaq. This rivalry not only defined his career but also contributed to the development of Arabic poetic tradition. His legacy is tied to his ability to gain favor with powerful figures like Al-Hajjaj bin Yousef and the caliph Umar II, though he received a cold welcome from caliphs Abd al-Malik and Al-Walid I. The story that he died spontaneously upon hearing of Farazdaq's death underscores the intensity of their literary contest.
Did You Know?
- Jarir was born during the reign of Rashidun caliph Uthman ibn Affan.
- He was a member of the Kulayb tribe, part of the Banu Tamim.
- His feud with Farazdaq is said to have lasted 40 years.
- He was the only poet received by the pious caliph Umar II.
More in Classical & Medieval Poets 1-24
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