For example...

For example, one says, “All this is mere poetry,” which means that it has nothing factual; only the words are attractive. Therefore, it is a proverb in Arabic “Best is that which is most false.” For instance, Firdosi versifies the duel between Rustam and Asfandiyar and says when Rustam arrives in the battlefield: The hoofs of horses made the earths became six and the skies eight. Can anything be further from the truth? Yet it sounds nice.

Thus poets sing wonderful things in praise as well as in condemnation. They can even turn an oppressor into a first class man of justice and similarly, show a just person to be a tyrant. Anyway, the Meccans alleged, “You are a poet. You are making verses for this Quran, which does not contain any truth, being mere imagination.” So the Quran says: And We have not taught him poetry, nor is it meet for him… *** *** That is We did not teach him poetry. Nor does it befit him.

it is nothing but a reminder and a plain Quran, *** *** The Prophet is a divine personality; a teacher sent by God and taught by God, while a poet has only imagination. What poet imparts knowledge and perfection to society? Quran has in fact condemned poetry. And as to the poets, those who go astray follow them. Do you not see that they wander about bewildered in every valley?

And that they say that which they do not do, (26:224-226) *** *** Didactic poems, panegyrics and elegies for Ahle Bayt (‘a) is good poetry Thus we now know what condemned poet and poetry mean? It means condemnable are those who present falsehood in a pleasing form. However if one uses beautiful and effective words in defense or in praise of truth, it is not at all objectionable, such as a didactic poem, panegyric or elegy of Ahle Bayt.

Since such poetry is more effective, its rank is also high and hence it is desirable. Therefore Quran says, “Except those who believe and do good and remember Allah much,” Such truth-teller poets are exempted from condemnation as they have faith and they do good. Such poets restrain from falsehood and they do not praise one who is not praiseworthy, and do not condemn those not liable for condemnation. There are poets who sing eulogies for oppressors.

They lie and sing worthless songs for payment from the public treasury. If they are given fewer amounts, they start condemning them. There are such examples in modern journalism also.