Ibn Nubata facts for kids

Ibn Nubata (born April 1287 – died October 14, 1366) was a very important Arab poet from the Mamluk period. He was best known for his amazing poetry, but he also wrote other types of texts. His full name was Abu Bakr Jamāl al-Dīn Muḥammad ibn Shams al-Dīn Muḥammad ibn Sharaf al-Dīn Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥasan ibn Ṣāliḥ ibn Yaḥyā ibn Ṭāhir ibn Muḥammad ibn al-Khaṭīb ʿAbd al-Raḥīm ibn Nubāta.

Who Was Ibn Nubata?

Ibn Nubata was born in Fusṭāṭ, near Cairo, in April 1287. His father was a scholar who studied Hadith, which are sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad. From a very young age, Ibn Nubata showed a great interest in poetry. He started writing short poems when he was still a child.

His Life Journey

In 1316, Ibn Nubata moved from Cairo to Damascus, a major city in Syria. He lived there for a long time, until 1360. During these years, he also made short visits to other cities like Hama and Aleppo. However, the Sultan of Egypt at the time, An-Nasir Hasan, eventually ordered him to return to Cairo. So, Ibn Nubata spent his later years back in his home city.

A Famous Poet

Ibn Nubata was one of the two most celebrated Arab poets of the 14th century. The other famous poet was Ṣafīddīn al-Ḥillī. Ibn Nubata was especially important for developing a type of short, clever poem called maqṭūʿ. His collection of poems, called al-Qaṭr an-Nubātī (which means 'Ibn Nubātah's Sweet Drops'), is thought to be the very first book made up entirely of these short poems.

His Legacy

Ibn Nubata passed away on October 14, 1366, when he was 79 years old. He was buried in the Qalawun cemetery in Cairo. His work continues to be studied by scholars today, showing his lasting impact on Arabic poetry.