Hassan al-Sairafi

Hassan Mustafa al-Sairafi (1918–2008) was a Saudi poet and literary figure with interests in folk and lyrical heritage, as well as in sports. He contributed to the establishment of al-Madinah Literary Club and several sports clubs in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, and served as the president of al-Nahda Club there.

Hassan Mustafa al-Sairafi was born in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah. He began his education at al-Kuttab (traditional Quranic school), where he learned reading, writing, and the fundamentals of sciences. He then enrolled in Oloum Shariah Private School, where he studied religious and Arabic sciences in study circles at the Prophet's Mosque. He continued his education at the Saudi Preparatory School and then the Primary School. He further pursued studies at the Evening Teachers' Training Institute and obtained a certificate from the English Language School affiliated with the Ministry of Knowledge (currently the Ministry of Education).

In 1946, Hassan Mustafa al-Sairafi worked as an administrator in the Pilgrimage Administration in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah and as a traveling inspector between the town of al-Musayjid and al-Madinah al-Munawwarah. He also worked at the Kaaki Automotive Company before being appointed as an inspector and administrator for lost items at the Pilgrimage Administration. Later, he became an editor in the police department, eventually rising to the position of public prosecutor, which was his final job before retirement.

In addition to his official roles, Hassan al-Sairafi practiced his father’s profession in goldsmithing and money exchange. He was also passionate about the sports movement in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, contributing to the establishment of its sports clubs. While serving as a public prosecutor in the police department, he held the position of vice president of al-Nahda Club in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah.

Hassan Mustafa al-Sairafi had a deep interest in folk and lyrical heritage and played a role in supporting folk arts in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah. He was knowledgeable about melodies, musical modes, and Kasrat (a traditional rhythmic form). He also wrote several lyrical poems that were performed by artists in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah.

He contributed to the establishment of Usrat al-Wadi al-Mubarak Literary and Cultural Family, which served as the foundation for the al-Madinah Literary Club, and he was a member of this group. Additionally, he was one of the founders of al-Madinah Literary Club and held the position of vice president. Al-Sairafi also contributed to the founding of al-Madina Newspaper and, later in his life, established a literary salon at his home. This salon was held every Tuesday evening, where men of literature and culture in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah would gather.

Hassan Mustafa al-Sairafi’s poetry blended the traditional ode with shorter poetic forms, often adhering to classical structures. He also wrote quatrains, humorous colloquial poetry, and occasionally free verse. He frequently signed his published works under various names in addition to his real name. These pseudonyms included Ash‘ab, Qays, al-Ma‘addawi al-Qadeem, Hassan al-Sairafi, and Hassan Mustafa al-‘Uqbi. Some of his more playful pseudonyms included Majnoon, Fadhi, and Tafran.

Al-Sairafi’s poetry was diverse, encompassing descriptive, social, humorous, patriotic, and Islamic themes. Despite leaving behind a relatively small body of work, his legacy includes three poetry collections: Tears and Pride, My Youth, and My Heart, as well as the book The History of al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, co-authored with Abdulaziz al-Rabee.