Abu Mikhjan, Abdallah Ibn Khabib

Abu Mikhjan, Abdallah Ibn Khabib 

Dates of birth and death unknown. Arab poet of the seventh century, from the tribe of the Sakif.

Abu Mikhjan took part in the Arab conquest of Iraq. His “wine verses,” which criticized the Koran’s prohibition against wine, provoked the displeasure of Caliph Omar I (634–644), who in 637 sent the poet into exile, where he soon died. The poetry of Abu Mikhjan is typical of Arab poetry of that time; it is filled with battle descriptions, self-exaltations, and love lyrics. His best-known works are his bacchic verses.

REFERENCE

Landberg, [C. de]. Primeurs arabes, fase. I. Leiden, 1886.