الاستشراق في مقدمتي كتاب تاريخ الأدب العربي بين كارل بروكلمان وريجي بلاشير ((دراسة نقدية))

Abstract

The researcher, in this study, examines two of the most prominent scholars who contributed to a series of works on the history of Arabic literature. The first is Carl Brockelmann (1868–1956), about whom Johann Fück stated: “It was not in Brockelmann’s nature to draw significant attention to himself or his work; when the University of Halle celebrated his eightieth birthday in 1948 and highlighted his distinguished contributions to Oriental studies, he responded by reminding those present that all scientific research is ultimately surpassed by the advancement of knowledge. He further noted that it is customary that, fifty years after a researcher’s death, whatever remains valid in their work becomes part of the general heritage of scholarship, while their errors are forgotten.”

The second scholar is Régis Blachère (1318–1393 AH / 1900–1973 CE), who, in his book History of Arabic Literature, quoting Ferdinand Brunetière, stated: “A person will accomplish nothing if they remain constantly in a state of waiting.” Hashim Ismail also states: “We do not expect Orientalists to be more Arab than the Arabs or more Eastern than the Muslims; we recognize that they were shaped by a particular cultural background. We must respect and appreciate what they have, just as they must respect and appreciate what we have.”

One of the primaries aims of this study is to investigate the history of Arabic literature through original documents. As Qais Hatem Al-Janabi states: “History is constructed through documents. Documents are among the most important sources for studying history and civilization. A document is defined as the source of information; it serves as evidence and proof of the occurrence of events, as it represents a material source containing essential and original information. The importance of documents lies in their role as a means of understanding the past, a tool for historians, and proof that history is a scientific discipline. Thus, uncovering documents leads to uncovering historical truth.”

Furthermore, Gustave Le Bon stated that “the Arabs, like other nations, have a prehistory filled with the mysteries of ancient times.” Prehistory begins with the origin of creation and ends with the discovery of writing in Mesopotamia. In other words, the discovery of writing marks the boundary between prehistoric and historical periods. Prehistoric geography studies the development of the geographical environment and then examines the emergence and spread of Homo sapiens across the earth.

The researcher follows a logical sequence in this study by analyzing the history of Arabic literature through the introductions of both Brockelmann and Blachère. She concludes that there is a distinction between chronological sequencing and logical sequencing in history in general. Accordingly, both Carl Brockelmann and Régis Blachère titled their works History of Arabic Literature.