Diwan al-Shaykh Ahmad Sahnun
- Author died
- 1424 AH
- Editions
- Manshūrāt al-Ḥibr
Diwan al-Shaykh Ahmad Sahnun (Arabic: ديوان الشيخ أحمد سحنون) is the collected poetic works of the Algerian scholar, preacher, and writer Ahmad Sahnun (1325–1424 AH / 1907–2003 CE), bringing together his religious, reformist, and national poetry .
Background and Composition
In his preface, dated 9 Shawwal 1395 AH (14 October 1975 CE) in Algiers, Sahnun stated that the collection encompasses the majority of his poetic output, noting that some verses had been lost over time while others were omitted by him . He noted that he long hesitated to publish his poems out of personal dissatisfaction with how adequately they conveyed his inner feelings; however, he agreed to print them following persistent appeals from friends and cultural figures interested in preserving Algerian heritage, as well as to assist students and researchers of modern Algerian literature . Sahnun also emphasized the historical significance of these verses as an intellectual precursor that helped pave the way for the Algerian Revolution .
Contents and Themes
The Diwan spans several decades of Sahnun's literary activity and encompasses several thematic categories:
- Reform and Education: A substantial portion of the poetry reflects Sahnun's work with the Association of Algerian Muslim Ulema and his contributions to its journal al-Basa'ir, including verses dedicated to education and social reform, such as Ila al-Mu'allim ("To the Teacher") and al-Basa'ir tatakallam ("al-Basa'ir Speaks") .
- Prison Poetry (Hasad al-Sijn): Composed during Sahnun's imprisonment under French colonial authorities between 1956 and 1959, this section forms a major part of the collection . It includes poems written inside prison reflecting on confinement, faith, and the struggle for national liberation, such as al-Fida'i ("The Commando"), Yawm Milad ("Birthday"), Khawatir fi al-'Id ("Thoughts on Eid"), and Wada'an... Wada'an ("Farewell... Farewell"), composed upon his release .
- Elegies and Brotherhood: The collection features eulogies for prominent figures of the Algerian national and reform movements, notably Sahnun's earliest elegy, composed on the day of Abd al-Hamid ibn Badis's death on 16 April 1940 (Mata Ibn Badis), as well as elegies for fellow poet Muhammad al-Id Al Khalifa and the preacher Abd al-Latif Sultani .
- Reflections and Nature: The work contains meditative and nature poetry, including odes on books and reading (Majalasat al-Kitab) and reflections on the natural world (Min Wahy al-Tabi'a) .
- Tributes from Contemporary Poets: The collection also includes poetic tributes addressed to Sahnun by contemporaries and peers, such as Ahmad al-Tayyib Ma'ash, Abd al-Rahman Zanaqi, and al-Akhdar bin al-Tahir .
Publication History
The collection was first published in 1977 . It was later issued in two volumes by Manshurat al-Habr in Algiers in 2007, with the first volume in its second edition and the second volume in its first edition .
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