Non-Operative Particles in the Poetry Collection of Umayyah ibn Abi al-Salt: Interrogation and Negation as a Model

Abstract

This study examines non-operative particles in the poetry collection of Umayyah ibn Abi al-Salt, focusing on the interrogative particles hamzah and hal, as well as the negative particles lā and mā. It aims to identify their occurrences in the collection and explain their grammatical functions, contextual meanings, and role in constructing poetic meaning. The study adopts descriptive and analytical approaches by tracing, classifying, and analyzing poetic evidence in light of the views of Arab grammarians and linguists, while clarifying unfamiliar lexical items and identifying the relevant grammatical evidence. The study finds that, despite their lack of syntactic effect, these particles perform significant semantic and rhetorical functions. The interrogative hamzah occurs in eight instances and conveys literal interrogation, affirmation, and alternative interrogation; it is sometimes coupled with the connected particle am to request specification. The interrogative hal occurs in two instances with an interrogative-negative function. The non-operative negative particle lā occurs forty-seven times in different constructions, while the negative particle mā serves negation, emphasis, and exaltation, particularly in negating blame from God Almighty. The study confirms that non-operative particles play an active role in directing meaning and expressing the poet’s purposes of praise, wisdom, faith, and destiny.