The Dialectics of Time in the Story of Al-Ṭāʾī with Al-Nuʿmān: An Analytical Study

Abstract

This study examines the dialectics of time in a narrative from classical Arabic heritage, classified proverbial literature, centering on the figure of Ḥanẓalah al-Ṭāʾī and his encounter with al-Nuʿmān ibn al-Mundhir. It aims to investigate the role of temporality in shaping narrative structure and character transformation, and to explore the concept of synchronicity as an interpretive framework for the unexpected relationships within the text. The study employs a critical-analytical approach to interpret textual meanings and internal relations, complemented by psychological analysis to explain character behavior, and supported by historical contextualization to illuminate the cultural background of the narrative. The findings reveal a complex temporal structure characterized by layered paradoxes across time, language, characters, and events, generating a high density of meaning. These interwoven paradoxes converge toward the notion of synchronicity, which functions as a pivotal mechanism driving the narrative toward a decisive transformation, exemplified in al-Nuʿmān’s abandonment of his belief in ill omen and his subsequent change in religious orientation. The study further highlights the prominence of core ethical values deeply rooted in Arab culture, particularly generosity associated with loyalty, courage linked to benevolence, and forgiveness, as fundamental determinants of human conduct within the narrative.