The Aesthetic Reception of Arabic Rhetoric Between Advanced and Latecomers

Abstract

This study explores the aesthetic reception of Arabic rhetoric by comparing classical and modern perspectives within the framework of reception theory. It begins by examining the concepts of reception, rhetoric, and eloquence, highlighting the relationship between balāgha and faṣāḥa in classical Arabic criticism. The study analyzes the rhetorical thought of major classical scholars, including Al-Jahiz, Abu Hilal Al-Askari, Abd al-Qahir Al-Jurjani, Ibn Sinan Al-Khafaji, and Al-Sakaki, emphasizing their contributions to the aesthetic appreciation of literary discourse. It then investigates modern approaches to renewing Arabic rhetoric through reader-response theory, psychology, and stylistics, while stressing the need to preserve the linguistic and cultural identity of Arabic rhetoric. The study concludes that effective rhetorical renewal should integrate contemporary critical insights with the rich classical heritage, ensuring that rhetoric remains both aesthetically engaging and intellectually relevant.