ABSTRACT

The term "badiʿ" appeared in the third century hijra to describe the innovative style of certain ʿAbbasid poets, the beginning of which was generally attributed to Bashshar ibn Burd or Muslim ibn al-Walid. Badiʿ is found only among the Arabs, and because of it their language excels all others and exceeds every other tongue. The link between badiʿ poetry and Muʿtazilite thought is further supported by the inability of critics writing during the period of orthodox resurgence that followed the Muʿtazilite era to arrive at an adequate understanding of Abu Tammam's poetry in particular and, in general, to formulate any valid concept of the badiʿ style. Ibn al-Muʿtazz' fourth category of badiʿ, radd ʿajuz al-kalam ʿala ʿadrihi does not logically qualify to be included as one of the five major bases of badiʿ since it lacks the semantic value of the other devices.