أثر الجاحظ في أدب العصر العباسي

The impact of Al-Jahiz in the literature of the Abbasid era

Abstract

One of the most important figures for Arabic prose writing in the history of Arabic literature commonly known is as al-Jahiz. His works touched many aspects of daily life of the society particularly during the first phase of the Abbasid period. He is a symbol of inspiration and motivation in the history of Iraq and Abbasid era, which is considered as a beacon of knowledge, having encyclopedically personality, culture and civilization Al-Jahiz who can be considered as one of the first Muslim prose writers who expressed a great interest in Islamic thought. He is one of the finest and most famous writers in the history of Arabic prose writing. Al-Jahiz was among Mu‘tazilite figures in the seventh generation. Ibn Al-Nadim listed nearly 140 titles attributed to Al-Jahiz, of which 75 are extant. He played an influential key role in Abbasid Caliphate via his prose work and numerous books. He is one of the pioneers of “Kitab Al-Hayawan” The Kitab Al-Hayawan and other books have great influence on Abbasid Caliphate literary life. The best known are Kitab Al-Hayawan (The book of living), is an encyclopedia in seven volumes of anecdotes, poetic descriptions and proverbs describing over 350 Species of animals.

This article purpose to show the method of thinking of this great Muslim prose writer who lived during the Abbasid period which is known as the richest intellectual and literary age of the Arabs. This article includes a preface and two chapters; the preface is the brief introduction of Jahiz’s life; the first chapter is about his prose writer compilations and the second chapter is about Abbasid Caliphate and the Jahiz's influence on Abbasid era.