Abu Nuwas
Abu Nuwas | |
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Abu Nuwas drawn by Khalil Gibran in 1916 | |
| Born | Abū Nuwās al-Ḥasan ibn Hānī al-Ḥakamī 756-8 Ahvaz, Abbasid Caliphate |
| Died | c. 814 (aged 57–58) Baghdad, Abbasid Caliphate |
| Occupation | Poet |
| Language | Arabic |
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| Arabic culture |
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Abu Nuwas (أبو نواس, Abū Nuwās) (756-8 – c. 814) was a classical Arabic poet, and the foremost representative of the modern (muhdath) poetry that developed during the first years of the Abbasid Caliphate. He also entered the folkloric tradition, appearing several times in One Thousand and One Nights.
Of mixed Arab and Persian heritage, he studied in Basra and al-Kufah, first under the poet Walibah ibn al-Hubab, and later under Khalaf al-Ahmar. He also studied the Qur'an, Hadith, and grammar. He earned the favour of the Abbasid caliphs Harun ar-Rashid and al-Amin. He is best known for his wine poetry, and Diwan, his collected volume of poetry that explored religion, pleasure, and homoeroticism.