Journal of the stylistic of Persian poem and prose
volume Number 18، number In Volume 9، December 2025 ، issue Number 115

Verbal Innovation in the Poems of Masoud Saad Salman and Jamaluddin Abdolrazzaq Isfahani: A Stylistic Study

Morteza Barati (Author in Charge)

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study explores the comparative use of rhetorical figures of sound in the poetry of Masʿud Saʿd Salman and Jamal al-Din ʿAbd al-Razzaq Isfahani. Rhetorical devices have long enriched Persian poetry by creating harmony, beauty, and emphasis. Since musicality is regarded as a central element in defining poetry within Persian literary tradition, investigating these devices provides insight into the artistic depth and stylistic distinctions of the two poets.

METHODOLOGY: The research is based on a systematic stylistic analysis of selected qasidas composed by both poets. Poems were examined for the frequency and types of rhetorical figures of sound, with particular attention to devices such as paronomasia (jinās) and rhymed prose (sajʿ). Instances were categorized and then compared across the two corpora to highlight similarities and differences in their stylistic tendencies.

FINDINGS: The analysis indicates that Masʿud Saʿd Salman employed rhetorical figures of sound more extensively and consistently than Jamal al-Din. His preference for certain devices, especially jinās and sajʿ, gave his poetry a heightened sense of rhythm and musicality, making the verses more melodious and cohesive. In contrast, Jamal al-Din’s poems, while not devoid of rhetorical figures, demonstrate less reliance on them and thus reflect a comparatively lighter musical structure. This distinction suggests that Masʿud Saʿd’s poetry conveys a stronger “poetic essence” through its reliance on sound patterns and phonetic artistry.

CONCLUSION: The findings underscore the value of rhetorical analysis in Persian stylistics. By comparing poets’ uses of literary devices, such studies not only clarify individual stylistic identities but also reveal broader tendencies within literary history. This research demonstrates that stylistic inquiry into rhetorical figures can help distinguish between poets and periods, offering a more nuanced understanding of the evolution of Persian literary expression.

Keyword
Literary Stylistics , Masoud Saad Salman , Jamal al-Din Isfahani , Badi' al-Riffi , Comparison and Analysis