The nurseries of the gazelles in describing the beautiful women of the young boys (Part One) by Shams al-Din Muhammad al-Nawaji (two parts)

Author: Shams al-Din Muhammad al-Nawaji Publisher: Al-Mediterania Publishing House Research conducted by Dr. Faraij al-Hiwār in the book Marāṭiʿ al-Ghazalān by its author Shams al-Din Muhammad ibn Hassan al-Nawaji. It is a book with an encyclopedic character, as indicated by its structure. The careful reader can easily realize, if they are familiar with Nawaji's literary heritage, that he expanded in this book material from his two poetic collections titled "Khalʿ al-ʿAdhar fi Wasf al-ʿAdhar" and "Ṣaḥāʾif al-Ḥasanāt fi Wasf al-Khāl," as well as many excerpts from his book "Ḥalaba al-Kumayt." He also included a collection of ninety excerpts of his poetry, totaling more than two hundred verses. The rest of the chapters are the result of the author's extensive knowledge and familiarity. Therefore, his book is considered a diwan of poetry from the Mamluk era and an important reference among "sources of Arabic poetry." It contains, between its pages, excerpts describing young boys, totaling more than fifteen hundred verses by over five hundred poets. In addition to all that, the book holds significant documentary value, as it includes descriptions of all social aspects of Mamluk society, especially regarding its diverse ethnicities, religions, sects, and social classes, as well as the system of governance, ranks, customs, and royal institutions. It also covers clothing, food, drink, moral and living values, virtues, vices, and reflects the civilization of that time in all its manifestations.