This book sheds light on issues in Arab criticism, both ancient and modern, such as plagiarism, meaning, diction, the structure of the ode (qasida), and poetic theft. The book addresses the issue of plagiarism in Arabic poetry as presented by Ibn Sallam in the introduction to his book "Tabaqat Fuhul al-Shu'ara," explaining the reasons that led to it, such as the loss of poetry by some tribes or their scarcity of it.

Regarding the issue of meaning, the book examines the criteria of correctness and error, truth and falsehood, clarity and ambiguity, and the relationship between meaning and morality, which were fundamental standards for Arab critics. As for the issue of diction, the book presents the opinion of Sinan al-Khafaji, who stipulated that the letters of a word should be distinct, pleasing to the ear, and neither coarse nor colloquial, while adhering to linguistic convention.

The book also discusses the structure of the ode, addressing the opening (matla'), smooth transition (husn al-takhalus), the unity of the verse, and the unity of the poem. Critics paid great attention to the opening of the poem, demanding that poets master it and setting conditions for it, including grandeur, splendor, and avoidance of complexity. As for smooth transition, it represents the skilled poet's ability to move from one topic to another seamlessly and harmoniously, so the reader does not feel a break in the flow.

• ISBN: 9789957160000
• Weight: 0.300 kg
• Dimensions: 17×24 cm
• Paper: White
• Pages: 156
• Year of Publication: 2000
• Cover Type: Paperback