How to Write a Ghazal

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Want to try your hand at writing a ghazal? Pronounced roughly like English guzzle , this centuries-old form of poetry and song hails from Persia (Iran), Pakistan, and India. [1] In Arabic, the word "ghazal" can have two meanings: one referring to the physical act of spinning thread and the other to a more abstract concept of passionate or flirtatious conversation. Ghazal poetry is a poetic form that draws inspiration from this dual meaning. [2] This fun and interesting poem is easy to write once you've nailed down the different rules and parts—and we're here to help you do just that! Read on for an in-depth look at how to draft your very own ghazal.

Would you like to learn to write a ghazal? We will teach you!

Though at first the rules may seem a puzzle, we will teach you!

Glossary

(These terms are from Arabic unless otherwise noted.)

  • Ghazal (غَزَل‎) — An ancient form of Arabic poetry, now diffused to many languages and cultures, and still actively written in our time. Read on to find out how to do this!
  • Bahr (بحر "sea") — Refers to the meter of the poem. In Arabic, the meter is often quite strict. In English, for our purposes, it refers to the number of syllables in a line.
  • Matla (مطلع "beginning") — The first sher (couplet) of a ghazal. It tells the reader the radif (refrain) and qaafiya (rhyme).
  • Radif (ردیف "row, order") — The refrain, discussed in Step 1. The radif is often considered a more prominent feature in Persian poetry. [3]
  • Qaafiya (قافیة "rhyme") — The rhyme, discussed in Step 2. The Qaafiya is often considered a more prominent feature in Arabic poetry. [4]
  • Sher (شعر "Poem") — Any couplet of a ghazal. (As noted below, each couplet constitutes a mini-poem.) This is the Persian term, and the one used in this article. The Arabic term is bayt (بیت "house").
  • Maqta (مقطع "division, part, section") — The last sher (couplet) of a ghazal. Typically it includes the poet's takhallus (pen name).
  • Takhallus (تخلص "liberated", hence "ending") — The poet's pen name or nom de plume , typically included in the maqta as a sort of sign-off.
1

Decide what your radif is going to be.

PDF download Download Article
  1. It makes sense to choose one that can be flexible in use and meaning, so you can use it in different ways in each sher , or couplet.
    • You're bound to make a few false starts, and you'll soon realise that your choice of radif is the single most important factor in determining how successful your ghazal is likely to be.
    2. Advertisement
2

Consider what your qaafiya is going to be.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Again, pick something with lots of possibilities. [5]
    • Qafiya, a cornerstone of Arabic poetry, serves as a rhythmic anchor, unifying the poem's structure while enhancing its melodic flow and emotional impact.
    • A poet's mastery in old Arabic poems was often measured by their adeptness at using qaafiya. Like a skilled weaver crafting a tapestry, they carefully selected threads of words that not only rhymed but also enhanced the poem's meaning.
3

Choose your topic.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Traditional topics include wine and drunkenness. When taken literally, this is quite something when you consider the time and place of origin of this poetic form! When taken metaphorically, wine represents the divine, or a connection or conduit to the divine. Drunkenness represents a meal of this food for the spirit.
    • Another traditional topic is love (where it's often deliberately ambiguous whether the poet is referring to divine love or love between two people).
    • At the same time, however, the key word is "traditional". As with any poetic form, you can write about any topic that works. See also for example Patricia Smith's "Hip-Hop Ghazal".
    2. Advertisement
4

Get writing.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Each line contains the same number of syllables. Each couplet is a separate, complete mini-poem, so there's no need for any narrative progression, or any real connection between the couplets. Both lines of the first verse end with the qaafiya and radif. See down the page for an example ghazal. [6]
    • Remember, each couplet constitutes a separate little poem, so don't have one verse rely on a previous one to make sense.
5

Finish with a flourish.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Try to end with something subtle yet unexpected. This will cause the reader to ponder your words, and hence will add more depth to your ghazal.
    • Traditionally, the poet's pen-name was included in the last verse; this final couplet usually contains a 'turn', or change of tone, to something more personal or quirky.
    • In the past, Arabic poets often included their names, titles, or family names in their poems to express pride. While you don't have to do this if you prefer a humbler approach, it can be fun to try a traditional Arabic title. For example, you could use 'Abu' (Father of) followed by your son/ daughter's name, or if you don't have kids yet, you could use a future name.
    • Another option to emulate the style of ancient Arab poets is to use a descriptive adjective as a title. For example, "Al-Nabigha" (meaning "the genius") is a well-known title used by poets. You can create your own title by finding an adjective you like, translating it into Arabic, and adding "Al-" at the beginning. For example, if you like the word "wise," you could use "Al-Hakim" (the wise) as your title.
    2. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • If you write a ghazal you're proud of, why not send it to one of the Internet's many poetry sites for possible publication and peer review? The Ghazal Page is now defunct (as of 29 October 2019) but there are still many sites (not specialising in any one form) that just might take your poem.
        Thanks
        Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Example Ghazal

      In this example, the radif is "I do not know", while the qaafiya (the rhyme preceding it) is -ate, as in slate, fate, depreciate , etc. In the example, each line contains 14 syllables, but any length is fine - it's up to you.

      Stranger at the Gate

      Who cares about the stranger at the gate? I do not knowThe poor orphan, abandoned to his fate? I do not know

      Where once I had the answers, now my mind is full of doubtHow do these certainties depreciate? I do not know

      From noon till night our ardent looks would scandalize the townWhy is it that your eyes are filled with hate? I do not know

      It used to be that man respected man for what he didThese days are we just numbers on the slate? I do not know

      The wisdom of the years is something valued now by noneThe butt of standing jokes, this balding pate? I do not know

      The saqi 1 turns his back; how many skins will be required,
      oh my love, this unholy thirst to sate? I do not know

      Once upon a time Amir was counted a believerTo every question now I simply state, I do not know

      1 Saqi: a wine-server in a medieval Persian tavern
      Released to Creative Commons by the author

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Write a Poem
      How to
      Write a Metaphor
      How to
      Make a Haiku Poem: A Beginner’s Guide (With Examples!)
      How to
      Write a Sonnet Like Shakespeare
      How to
      Write Poetry for Beginners
      How to
      Write a Limerick
      How to
      Format a Poem
      How to
      Write an Acrostic Poem
      How to
      Create Your Own Villanelle Poem
      How to
      Write a Rhyming Poem
      How to
      Write a Love Poem
      How to
      Write a Sestina
      How to
      Write a Free Verse Poem
      How to
      Write a Sonnet
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED304701.pdf
      2. ↑ https://www.almaany.com
      3. ↑ https://platform.almanhal.com/Files/2/109178
      4. ↑ https://platform.almanhal.com/Files/2/109178
      5. ↑ https://www.tweetspeakpoetry.com/2013/10/07/ghazal-poetry/
      6. ↑ https://www.writeoutloud.net/discuss/writing-a-ghazal--1127

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 158,252 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • George Meikle

        Aug 12, 2016

        "I had read other notes and remained puzzled. Your note and example seemed clear. I have written a five couplet ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement