WOMEN'S AUTHORITY AND WOMEN IN AUTHORITY A STUDY IN THE POETRY OF WALLADA BINT AL-MUSTAKFI

Abstract

In the poetry of Wallada bint Al-Mustakfi, authority refers to the political and social power that women held in Abbasid society. The poet Wallada bint Al-Mustakfi represented a model of female authority at the time, as she was a poet, writer, and intellectual with social and political influence. In her poetry, Wallada expresses female authority by glorifying women's strength, intelligence, and beauty. She also conveys her independence and freedom of thought while criticizing social traditions that impose restrictions on women. For example, in one of her poems, she says:

"I am a woman, but I have intelligence,

And I am beautiful, but I have strength."

These words reflect the female authority that Wallada bint Al-Mustakfi possessed and her vision of women as an active force in society.