An analysis of educational-themed poems in Ma'rûf al-Rusâfî's diwan

Iraqi poet Ma'ruf al-Rusafi stands out in 20th-century Arabic poetry not only as a poet but also as a prominent educator. Throughout his career, Rusafi placed great value on education and learning, reflecting this commitment deeply in his poetry, which frequently addresses themes of education, knowledge, students, and educational institutions. Living in a period when the neglect of education was a major issue in the Islamic world, Rusafi often voiced his dissatisfaction and used these themes as a platform for social criticism. In this study, Rusafi's poems that emphasize the significance of education and knowledge are examined through content analysis, focusing in detail on how he underscores the value of knowledge, the negative consequences of insufficient attention to education, and the sanctity of educational institutions. Although Rusafi's verses that touch on these subjects are numerous, these themes have not been comprehensively analyzed in an independent academic study, making this work unique. Rusafi's poetry not only provides social criticism but also achieves a level of artistic aesthetic that lends his work a distinctive quality. Through the verses he crafted around the theme of education, he highlights the transformative power of knowledge on individuals and society, illustrating, through the aesthetic language of his art, the societal and cultural issues caused by the neglect of education. This study aims to contribute to the field of education studies and provide the educational community with new perspectives.