Diwan Katheer Ezza

Author's name: Katheer Ezza

Kathir ibn Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Aswad ibn Amir al-Khuza'i, Abu Sakhr, known by the nicknames "Kathir Azza" and "Ibn Abi Juma'ah", was a passionate erotic poet and one of the most famous poets of the Umayyad era. He was born in Medina in 660 AD / 40 AH and died there in 723 AD / 106 AH. He belonged to the Banu Malih tribe of Khuza'ah, and for this reason he was also known as "al-Malhi". He was famous for his platonic love for Azza bint Jamil al-Damriyyah, with whom his name was associated throughout his life. He was extremely chaste and faithful in his love, so much so that he said: "I did not gain anything from Azza, except that when times became difficult for me, I would take her hand, and when she placed it on my forehead, I would find comfort." He resided for a long time in Egypt and was a guest of Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, who at first despised him because of his small body and ugly character. Then he grew to respect him when he saw his literature and poetry, and brought him closer to him and to the Banu Marwan, who honored him. He was the foremost poet of the Hijaz people of his time, regarded by them above all others, as al-Marzubani mentioned. His poetry was distinguished by its tenderness and sincerity. It is said that some historians accused him of Shi'ism and reincarnation, and it was said that he believed himself to be "Yunus ibn Matta." He had a printed collection of his poetry, and al-Zubayr ibn Bakkar collected his accounts in a book entitled "Akhbar Kathir."