Reflections of Socio-Cultural Alienation in Abbasid-Era Poetry: A So-ciological Analysis Based on the Cases of Ebü’l-‘Atâhiyye, İbnü’r-Rûmî, and Mütenebbî

This article examines the theme of existential alienation in Abbâsî-id-era Arabic poetry through the works of three major poets, each exemplifying a distinct dimension of alienation. The study focuses on the introspective and ascetic verses of Abū al-ʿAtāhiyya as expressions of psychological alienation, the socially engaged and often disillusioned poetry of Ibn al-Rūmī as a voice of political alienation, and the proud, morally reflective oeuvre of al-Mutanabbī as an embodiment of ethical alienation. Through a close reading of representative poems and a comparative analysis of these poets’ lives and contexts, the research illuminates how feelings of estrangement and disconnection were articulated in a period renowned for its cultural and intellectual achievements. The scope of the inquiry spans personal laments, social commentary, and moral philosophizing in verse, highlighting the importance of alienation as a literary and existential motif in the Abbasid era. The purpose of this study is to enrich our understanding of classical Arabic poetry by revealing how each poet’s unique approach to alienation contributes to a multifaceted portrait of human experience. Methodologically, the article employs a qualitative analysis that combines literary criticism with historical contextualization, providing an interpretation grounded in the poets’ own milieu and idiom.