Dr. Zaki Mubarak, a man of letters
Egypt, Culture, 1/24/2000

Zaki Mubarak, was a holder of three doctorate degrees; the first was from the Egyptian University on May 15, 1924 on "Ethics" of Al Gazali - one of the Muslim Imams and intellectuals-the second was from the Sorbonne University in Paris on April 25,1931 on Poetic Prose" in the fourth century of Hejira"; the third was from Fouad I University, currently Cairo University in 1937 on Islamic philosophy and "Sufism in Islam".

He, however, has managed to prepare a thesis for a fourth doctorate degree to present it to Alexandria University, but some circumstances hindered him from realizing this end

Zaki Mubarak was a poet. He memorized a great deal of poems that hit 30,000 lines, He was a man of letters, his poetry is influenced by heritage together with spiritual Sufism.

He assumed the post of literary editor of "Al-Balagh" newspaper in 1923 and went further to undertake the task of editor-in-chief of "Al-Afkar" newspaper. Zaki Mubarak had yielded many literary articles in the Arab Association magazine, and he wrote in "Al-Resala" magazine, which was at that time the most famous literary magazine.

He took part in 1919 Revolution by his rhetoric and correspondence to the press as he wrote enthusiastic poems till he was arrested by the British authorities in December 1919.

Zaki Mubarak, as a matter of fact, waged severe literary battles with senior men of letters and critics, to mention a few, Dr. Taha Hussein, Ahmed Amin,Al-Aquad, Salama Moussa.

His battle with Dr. Taha Hussen, anyway, was the harshest, as it continued two consecutive years. Also, Mubarak's battle with the Arab culture giant, Al-Aquad, was the most outstanding literary battle.

He wrote 45 books including two in French while he was in France. Mubarak wrote his book on "Ethics" of Al-Gazali in which he touched upon the way the Islamic society should be according to Imam Al-Gazali.

This treatise, however, was one of the first philosophical writings to be discussed by the Egyptian University, as there was only one theme in this respect that was introduced at the Higher Islamic Judiciary School by Atef Barakat and his student Ahmed Amin.

Ahmed Amin, the historian, commenting on "Ethics" treatise of Al-Gazali, said it is one of the best and most useful presented by researches to the Egyptian University at that time and he continued to teach "Ethics" for Egyptian University students for a long time.

As for Zaki Mubarak's third Ph.D., degree, it was about the history of Sufism in Islam. He expatiated in expounding the root of the word "Sufism" and reasons behind such name. He, further probed Sufi approaches along with attitudes of senior Sufis (mystics) and their approaches such as Mohyi Ben Arabi, Abo Jbeir and Al-Galah's Sufist experience.

Zaki Mubarak, also, taught Islamic Sufism as a subject in the Arabic and philosophy Departments at the Egyptian University.

In his book "Comparison Among Poets", Zaki Mubarak compared poets in modern times, in critical essays in terms of following the literary techniques and criticism along with poetic experience of modern poets. He, as well, made analytical comparisons between Apollo poets and those of modern times.

Zaki Mubarak was vastly committed to describe and expound poems by Al-Baroudi, Ahmed Shawki and Hafeiz Ibrahim.

In his book, "Baghdad's Spectrum", Zaki Mubarak tackled social life during the first Abbasid Age and the extent of luxury and scientific breakthrough, scholars' gatherings, the scientific boom and translations.

He mentioned, in his book "Baghdad's Spectrum", the social history of the Arab Islamic State, focusing on Baghdad's days and nights and its leading role in the Islamic world. Hence, Baghdad was the capital and seat of government and the Caliph.

Zaki Mubarak worte a long stroy called "Lover's Tears" in which he followed the literary technique: introduction, theme or plot, climax and anti-climax. The story deals with the secrets of love.

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