The case of plagiarism and its presence in Classical Arabic Poetry

Classical Arabic poetry was narrated by the followers of poets, who were memorizing and repeating all the couplets of their master constantly. Although the students established their own styles, it was very natural for them to reflect the style and expression of their masters. This reflection was discussed in classical Arabic literary criticism and rhetoric (al-'ilm al-balagha), as, "al-sariqa al-shi'riyya", plagiarism in poetry. This study tests the claim that the reflection of the master's style and expressions in the student's poetry cannot be considered as plagiarism. One of the goals of this study is also to investigate the methodological emergence of plagiarism phenomenon in classical Arabic poetry. The investigation of the methodological origins of plagiarism helps us see the relationship of plagiarism with literary property and the extent of the property`s authenticity. Therefore, I aim to focus on the existing scientific ethics by searching the basic ethical principles for all literary works and academic studies that exist for classical Arabic poetry in particular.