Meant to Be Heard
Arabic poetry was composed for recitation, not reading. The rhythm, meter, and musicality only come alive when spoken aloud. Our synchronized audio brings this ancient tradition to life.
الشعر العربي كما ورثته الأجيال
Experience Arabic Poetry
As Generations Inherited It
Listen to classical Arabic poetry with synchronized verses and translations
The Muʿallaqa of Antarah ibn Shaddād
معلقة عنترة بن شداد
Antarah ibn Shaddād
Zaynab’s Dwelling by the Dune (The Day of Al-Furqan)
عَرَفتَ دِيارَ زَينَبَ بِالكَثيبِ (الفرقان)
Hassan ibn Thabit
Your night grew long in Al-Athmad
تطاول ليلك بالاثمد
Imru al-Qais al-Kindi
To every woman who walks with sway—Al-Muqṣūrah
أَلا كُلُّ ماشِيَةِ الخَيزَلى—القصيدة المقصورة
Al-Mutanabbi
When you bacome alone
إذا ما خلوت الدهر
Abu Al-Atahiya
A Man’s Brother Delivers Him
يسلم المرء أخوه
Abu Al-Atahiya
Salma, we greet you; receive our greeting
إنا محييوك يا سلمى فحيينا
Abu Makhzum Al-Nahshali
Kings of the Jinn
ملوك الجن
Nasser Al-Fir‘anah
The Lion and His Donkey Minister
الأسد ووزيره الحمار
Ahmed Shawqi
Sing, O Nightingale
غني يا بلبل
Badawi Al-Jabal
Two little birds in Hijaz,
عصفورتان في الحجاز
Ahmed Shawqi
Love revealed itself in my glance and tried to restrain me (revised)
عَرَفَ الْهَوَى فِي نَظْرَتِي فَنَهَانِي (منقحه)
Mahmoud al-Baroudi
That Which Forbade You from Straying
نَهاكَ عَنِ الغَوايةِ ما نَهاكا
Baha' al-Din Zuhayr
The Book
الكتاب
Dr.Ahmed Jamil Khatib
An Urgent Message to Bilqis
برقية عاجلة إلى بلقيس
Ghazi Al-Gosaibi
The Muʿallaqa of Antarah ibn Shaddād
معلقة عنترة بن شداد
Antarah ibn Shaddād
Zaynab’s Dwelling by the Dune (The Day of Al-Furqan)
عَرَفتَ دِيارَ زَينَبَ بِالكَثيبِ (الفرقان)
Hassan ibn Thabit
Your night grew long in Al-Athmad
تطاول ليلك بالاثمد
Imru al-Qais al-Kindi
To every woman who walks with sway—Al-Muqṣūrah
أَلا كُلُّ ماشِيَةِ الخَيزَلى—القصيدة المقصورة
Al-Mutanabbi
When you bacome alone
إذا ما خلوت الدهر
Abu Al-Atahiya
A Man’s Brother Delivers Him
يسلم المرء أخوه
Abu Al-Atahiya
Salma, we greet you; receive our greeting
إنا محييوك يا سلمى فحيينا
Abu Makhzum Al-Nahshali
Kings of the Jinn
ملوك الجن
Nasser Al-Fir‘anah
The Lion and His Donkey Minister
الأسد ووزيره الحمار
Ahmed Shawqi
Sing, O Nightingale
غني يا بلبل
Badawi Al-Jabal
Two little birds in Hijaz,
عصفورتان في الحجاز
Ahmed Shawqi
Love revealed itself in my glance and tried to restrain me (revised)
عَرَفَ الْهَوَى فِي نَظْرَتِي فَنَهَانِي (منقحه)
Mahmoud al-Baroudi
That Which Forbade You from Straying
نَهاكَ عَنِ الغَوايةِ ما نَهاكا
Baha' al-Din Zuhayr
The Book
الكتاب
Dr.Ahmed Jamil Khatib
An Urgent Message to Bilqis
برقية عاجلة إلى بلقيس
Ghazi Al-Gosaibi
An Urgent Message to Bilqis
برقية عاجلة إلى بلقيس
Ghazi Al-Gosaibi
The Book
الكتاب
Dr.Ahmed Jamil Khatib
That Which Forbade You from Straying
نَهاكَ عَنِ الغَوايةِ ما نَهاكا
Baha' al-Din Zuhayr
Love revealed itself in my glance and tried to restrain me (revised)
عَرَفَ الْهَوَى فِي نَظْرَتِي فَنَهَانِي (منقحه)
Mahmoud al-Baroudi
Two little birds in Hijaz,
عصفورتان في الحجاز
Ahmed Shawqi
Sing, O Nightingale
غني يا بلبل
Badawi Al-Jabal
The Lion and His Donkey Minister
الأسد ووزيره الحمار
Ahmed Shawqi
Kings of the Jinn
ملوك الجن
Nasser Al-Fir‘anah
Salma, we greet you; receive our greeting
إنا محييوك يا سلمى فحيينا
Abu Makhzum Al-Nahshali
A Man’s Brother Delivers Him
يسلم المرء أخوه
Abu Al-Atahiya
When you bacome alone
إذا ما خلوت الدهر
Abu Al-Atahiya
To every woman who walks with sway—Al-Muqṣūrah
أَلا كُلُّ ماشِيَةِ الخَيزَلى—القصيدة المقصورة
Al-Mutanabbi
Your night grew long in Al-Athmad
تطاول ليلك بالاثمد
Imru al-Qais al-Kindi
Zaynab’s Dwelling by the Dune (The Day of Al-Furqan)
عَرَفتَ دِيارَ زَينَبَ بِالكَثيبِ (الفرقان)
Hassan ibn Thabit
The Muʿallaqa of Antarah ibn Shaddād
معلقة عنترة بن شداد
Antarah ibn Shaddād
An Urgent Message to Bilqis
برقية عاجلة إلى بلقيس
Ghazi Al-Gosaibi
The Book
الكتاب
Dr.Ahmed Jamil Khatib
That Which Forbade You from Straying
نَهاكَ عَنِ الغَوايةِ ما نَهاكا
Baha' al-Din Zuhayr
Love revealed itself in my glance and tried to restrain me (revised)
عَرَفَ الْهَوَى فِي نَظْرَتِي فَنَهَانِي (منقحه)
Mahmoud al-Baroudi
Two little birds in Hijaz,
عصفورتان في الحجاز
Ahmed Shawqi
Sing, O Nightingale
غني يا بلبل
Badawi Al-Jabal
The Lion and His Donkey Minister
الأسد ووزيره الحمار
Ahmed Shawqi
Kings of the Jinn
ملوك الجن
Nasser Al-Fir‘anah
Salma, we greet you; receive our greeting
إنا محييوك يا سلمى فحيينا
Abu Makhzum Al-Nahshali
A Man’s Brother Delivers Him
يسلم المرء أخوه
Abu Al-Atahiya
When you bacome alone
إذا ما خلوت الدهر
Abu Al-Atahiya
To every woman who walks with sway—Al-Muqṣūrah
أَلا كُلُّ ماشِيَةِ الخَيزَلى—القصيدة المقصورة
Al-Mutanabbi
Your night grew long in Al-Athmad
تطاول ليلك بالاثمد
Imru al-Qais al-Kindi
Zaynab’s Dwelling by the Dune (The Day of Al-Furqan)
عَرَفتَ دِيارَ زَينَبَ بِالكَثيبِ (الفرقان)
Hassan ibn Thabit
The Muʿallaqa of Antarah ibn Shaddād
معلقة عنترة بن شداد
Antarah ibn Shaddād
المعلقات السبع
The Seven Suspended Odes
Written in gold. Hung on the Kaaba. Said to be the greatest poems ever composed in Arabic.
What is Arabic Poetry?
A 1,500-year tradition of oral artistry, rhythm, and profound expression
Trilingual Experience
Original Arabic text, phonetic transliteration for pronunciation, and English translation side by side. Follow along even if you don't speak Arabic.
Verse Synchronization
Each verse highlights as it's recited, creating perfect harmony between audio and text. Never lose your place in the poem.
Explore Arabic Poetry by Era
Journey through 1,500 years of poetic excellence
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Arabic poetry
What are the Mu'allaqat?
The Mu'allaqat (المعلقات), meaning "The Suspended Ones," are seven pre-Islamic Arabic poems considered the pinnacle of Arabic literature. According to legend, they were written in gold on fine linen and hung on the walls of the Kaaba in Mecca. Composed over 1,400 years ago, they explore themes of love, warfare, tribal honor, and the harsh beauty of desert life.
Can I listen to Arabic poetry online for free?
Yes! The Arabic Poetry offers free audio recitations of classical Arabic poems including the complete Mu'allaqat collection. Each verse is synchronized with the audio so you can follow along, and we provide English translations alongside the original Arabic text and transliteration.
Who are the most famous Arabic poets?
The most celebrated classical Arabic poets include Imru' al-Qais (author of the first Mu'allaqah), Antarah ibn Shaddad (the warrior-poet), Labid ibn Rabi'ah, Zuhayr ibn Abi Sulma, Tarafa ibn al-'Abd, 'Amr ibn Kulthum, and Al-Harith ibn Hilliza. These seven poets authored the legendary Mu'allaqat.
How can I learn to appreciate Arabic poetry?
Arabic poetry is best experienced through listening. Start with the Mu'allaqat - use our synchronized audio feature where each verse highlights as it's spoken. Read the English translation first to understand the meaning, then listen to the Arabic to experience the rhythm and musicality. The transliteration helps you follow the pronunciation even without knowing Arabic.
What makes Arabic poetry unique?
Arabic poetry features intricate meter systems (called 'arud), complex rhyme schemes, and rich imagery drawn from desert life. The language's root-based structure allows for wordplay impossible in other languages. Poetry held immense cultural importance - poets were tribal spokesmen, and verses could start or end wars. This oral tradition spans over 1,500 years and influenced literatures worldwide.
Ready to Experience Arabic Poetry?
Explore our full collection of classical and modern Arabic poetry with audio recitations