The poetry of Abu Tammam Habib ibn Aws al-Ta'i (d. 231 AH) is a subject that inspires both agreement and disagreement. However, his famous ode (the Ba'iyya) on the conquest of Amorium, which begins with the line 'The sword is a truer messenger than books...', has held a special place among his supporters and detractors alike. This has allowed it to become one of the masterpieces of Arabic poetry throughout the ages, captivating many poets and writers of Arabic literature across different eras. They have engaged with it across a geographical space spanning nearly the entire Arab world and a temporal space covering most periods of Arabic literature, creating a distinct intertextual context and achieving a unique artistic continuity.

• Publishing House: Dar Al-Tanweer for Printing, Publishing, and Distribution
• Year of Publication: 2015
• Number of Pages: 256