Abu-l-'Atahiya Biography | Poet

Abu l-Atahiyya ( , full name Abu Ishaq Isma'il ibn Qasim al-Anazi ( ) Abu l-'Atahiyya (748-828) was an Arab poet born at 'Aynu t-Tamar in the Iraqi desert, near al-Anbar. His ancestors were of the tribe of Anaza. His youth was spent in Kufa, where he was engaged for some time in selling pottery. Moving to Baghdad, he continued his business there, but became famous for his verses, especially for those addressed to Utba, a concubine of the Abbasid Caliph al-Mahdi. His love was unrequited, although al-Mahdi, and after him Caliph ar-Rashid, interceded for him. Having offended the caliph, he was imprisoned for a short time.