Preserving the oral tradition of Arabic poetry for the world
The Arabic Poetry is a platform dedicated to preserving and sharing classical Arabic poetry through synchronized audio recitations. We bring ancient verses to life by highlighting each line as it's recited, creating an immersive experience that honors the oral tradition.
For centuries, Arabic poetry was performed aloud—recited in royal courts, around desert fires, and across bustling marketplaces. We're bringing that experience into the modern era, making these timeless verses accessible to audiences worldwide while preserving the rhythm and emotion of spoken performance.
Arabic poetry was meant to be heard, not just read. These verses carried the weight of history, culture, and human emotion through sound—through the cadence of words, the pause between lines, and the voice that breathed life into ancient texts.
We believe this oral tradition should not be lost to time. By synchronizing professional recitations with written text, we're creating a bridge between the past and present—helping modern audiences experience Arabic poetry the way it was always meant to be encountered: as a living, breathing art form.
We begin with the legendary Mu'allaqat—the Seven Suspended Odes considered masterpieces of Arabic literature. These pre-Islamic poems, composed over 1,500 years ago, represent the pinnacle of Arabic literary tradition. Each ode tells a story of love, loss, war, and the harsh beauty of desert life.
According to legend, these poems were so magnificent they were written in gold ink and hung on the walls of the Kaaba in Mecca—hence the name "Suspended Odes." Whether legend or history, their influence on Arabic literature is undeniable.
Our collection will grow to include poetry from every era of Arabic literature—from the pre-Islamic era through the Umayyad and Abbasid periods, to the modern renaissance of Arabic verse. Each addition will maintain our commitment to quality recitations and authentic texts.
Browse our collection of classical Arabic poetry. Filter by poet, era, or mood to find verses that speak to you.
Press play and listen to professional recitations that honor the rhythm and emotion of the original performance.
Each verse highlights in sync with the audio, helping you follow the Arabic text and English translation simultaneously.
This synchronized experience creates an immersive reading environment that brings ancient poetry to life. You're not just reading words on a screen—you're experiencing the verses as they were meant to be encountered: through sound, rhythm, and performance.
The platform is called "The Arabic Poetry" in English.
ذا ارابيك بويتري
We chose this bilingual approach to be accessible to both Arabic speakers and international audiences discovering this rich literary tradition for the first time. The name is simple, descriptive, and honors the global reach of Arabic poetry's influence.
The Arabic Poetry was created by passionate advocates for Arabic literature who believe these timeless verses deserve to be experienced by modern audiences in their full emotional depth. We're building a platform that respects the cultural significance of this art form while making it accessible to everyone—whether you're a scholar of Arabic literature or discovering these poems for the first time.
Our team carefully curates each recitation, ensuring authenticity and quality. We work with native speakers, literary experts, and audio engineers to create an experience that honors both the original verses and the oral tradition they come from.
The Arabic Poetry is a growing project, and we welcome contributions from the community:
Together, we can preserve this incredible literary tradition for future generations.
Questions? Suggestions? We'd love to hear from you.
We typically respond within 2-3 business days.