Ahwal Al-Ma’rifa – Special

Mohammed Hassan Awwad (1902–1980) is regarded as one of the most prominent pioneers of the literary and intellectual renaissance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and one of the figures who contributed to establishing the modern cultural movement through a reformist project that brought together literature, thought, and a call for renewal. He was distinguished by his broad knowledge and passion for learning, and he helped pave the way for generations of Saudi writers and intellectuals.

Awwad was born in the city of Jeddah and worked as a teacher at Al-Falah School, where a number of writers who later became prominent figures in the Saudi cultural scene studied under him. In 1926, he published his famous book “Khwatir Musarraha” (Frank Reflections), considered one of the earliest reformist books in the Arabian Peninsula. The book sparked widespread discussion about issues related to society, culture, and education, and called for intellectual, moral, and social reform.

Awwad was among the earliest advocates of developing Arabic poetry in the Kingdom. He believed that renewal should not be limited to meters and rhymes, but should also encompass content, intellectual vision, and the role of literature in addressing issues facing society. He therefore advocated free verse and experimented with varying meters and rhymes. He also demonstrated an openness to prose poetry, believing that literature should keep pace with the developments of the age and express the concerns of both people and the nation.

Awwad was influenced by the literary renewal movement in Egypt, particularly the Apollo Group, as well as by the ideas of Abbas Mahmoud Al-Aqqad and Ahmed Zaki Abu Shadi. This influence was reflected in his inclination toward Romanticism and Realism and his call for modernizing Arabic poetry. Despite differences among critics regarding the success of some of his artistic experiments, his intellectual influence was profound, as he encouraged subsequent generations to pursue experimentation, renewal, and creativity.

His contributions were not limited to poetry. He was also one of the pioneers of literary and intellectual essay writing in the Kingdom and left behind notable works such as “Khwatir Musarraha” (Frank Reflections), “Reflections on Literature and Life”, “Inspired by Public Life”, and “The Path to the External Music of Poetry”, in addition to several poetry collections. His works have remained important references for researchers and critics who have studied and analyzed his literary experience.

Mohammed Hassan Awwad remains one of the most important founders of modern Saudi literature. He brought together reformist thought and literary innovation and contributed to establishing the values of renewal and cultural openness, leaving behind a literary and intellectual legacy that continues to have a presence in the development of Saudi culture to this day.