Al-Ghar?? Al-Yah?d?
AL-GHAR?? AL-YAH?D?
AL-GHAR?? AL-YAH?D? (early seventh century), poet, singer, and composer from *Medina in Arabia. Al-Ghar?? al-Yah?d? is not to be confused with al-Ghar?? (nickname meaning the fresh voice), one of the four great singers in the early Islamic era (d. 716). The biographical account of al-Ghar?? the Jew is reported by the 10th-century author al-I?fah?n? in his monumental Kit?b al-Agh?n? ("Book of Songs"), which contains a collection of poems from the pre-Islamic period to the ninth century, all of which had been set to music. Al-Ghar?? the Jew is described in this book as a Kohen descended from Aaron ben Amram and a member of the Jewish group living in Yathrib (i.e., Medina, the city of the Prophet *Muhammad). Al-I?fah?n? mentions in the same context other Jewish poets belonging to the same group, but the very fact that he dedicated a special entry to al-Ghar?? points to his artistic ability and reputation. Al-I?fah?n? even reports that Muhammad was pleased with one of al-Ghar??'s songs.
bibliography:
Al-I?fah?n?, Kit?b al-Agh?n? al Kab?r, 3 (Cairo, c. 1929), 116–117; al-Salaw?, Idr?k al-ma'?n?, ms. 2706 of the Moroccan Royal Library, v. 21, f. 136–138; H.G. Farmer, A History of Arabian Music to the 13th Century (1929), 80–81.
[Amnon Shiloah (2nd ed.)]