This study offers an integrated syntactic, rhetorical, and contextual analysis of the nominal sentence (al-jumla al-ismiyya) in Abū al-Ṭayyib al-Mutanabbī’s renowned poem "arq ealaa arq wamithli yarqu" ("Restlessness upon restlessness—and one like me lies sleepless"). The research seeks to understand how the poet employs syntactic structures—not as rigid grammatical frames, but as dynamic expressive tools that convey psychological depth and existential reflection. The study addresses a notable gap in contemporary scholarship, which has predominantly focused on the emotional or general rhetorical dimensions of the poem while neglecting a precise syntactic analysis of the nominal sentence and its semantic function within the context of existential anxiety.
Adopting an analytical, applied, and contextual methodology, the research examines the entire poem (45 verses), identifying and analyzing 22 nominal sentences. Each is subjected to detailed morphosyntactic (iʿrāb) and structural analysis, then interpreted in light of its psychological context (insomnia, anxiety, existential contemplation) and rhetorical function (repetition, contradiction, imagery, emphasis). The theoretical framework draws on classical Arabic grammatical sources (Sībawayh, Ibn Mālik, al-Zamakhsharī) and rhetorical theory (al-Jurjānī), supplemented by 25 recent scholarly works (2018–2024).
Key findings reveal that al-Mutanabbī redefines the traditional function of the nominal sentence—typically associated with permanence and stability—by deploying it to express turbulent psychological states, such as escalating insomnia. The study shows that single-word predicates (khabar mufrad) constitute the majority (45%) and are primarily used for emphasis and generalization, whereas verbal-clause predicates (36%) bridge syntactic stability with psychological dynamism. A striking feature of the poem’s creativity is the semantic tension within nominal constructions—exemplified by the line "Wa-l-mustaʿizzu bi-mā ladayhi al-aḥmaqu" ("He who boasts of what he possesses is a fool")—which functions as an innovative rhetorical device to intensify existential conflict.
The study concludes that the nominal sentence in this poem is not merely a formal syntactic unit, but an integrated semantic fabric that actively shapes meaning, deepens emotional impact, and articulates a philosophical vision of existence. The research therefore recommends applying this integrative methodology to other poetic texts, incorporating syntactic-rhetorical analysis into Arabic literature curricula, and encouraging interdisciplinary studies that bridge linguistic subfields to achieve a holistic understanding of poetic discourse.