Diya al-Din Rajab

Diya al-Din Bin Hamzah Rajab (1916-1977) was a writer, poet, jurist, judge, and one of the prominent columnists of his time. He was among the founders of al-Madina Newspaper, served as the Director General of Endowments, was a member of the Shura Council, and was a legal advisor to the Holy Makkah Municipality. He also presented several radio programs and discussions on religion and culture.

Diya al-Din Bin Hamza Rajab was born and raised in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, where he studied Islamic science under the scholars of the Prophet's Mosque. He completed a significant part of his education before joining the education sector as a teacher at one of al-Madinah al-Munawwarah's schools. During that time, he wrote both poetry and prose. He later turned to journalism and became one of the founders of al-Madina Newspaper, where he worked as a writer, editor, and supervisor.

Diya al-Din Bin Hamza Rajab moved from al-Madinah al-Munawwarah to AlUla City, which administratively falls under the jurisdiction of al-Madinah al-Munawwarah Province, following his appointment as a judge. After serving in AlUla, he was appointed a judicial advisor to Makkah al-Mukarramah Municipality, prompting his relocation to the city to fulfill his duties. He was later appointed Director General of Endowments before being selected as a member of the Shura Council. That was the last government position he held before his retirement.

Diya al-Din Bin Hamzah Rajab’s poetry gained a spiritual inclination, reflecting his deep interest in jurisprudence and Sharia sciences. His poems showcase precision in style and expression, shaped by his extensive experience in judicial and legal affairs, along with his expertise in drafting decisions and regulations for the Shura Council. His style was significantly influenced by Mahjar poets like Elia Abu Madi and Gibran Khalil Gibran. A sense of pain and psychological anguish is also evident in his poetry, expressing his sorrow over the early passing of his son.

In his later years, Diya al-Din Bin Hamzah Rajab opened a law office in Riyadh City, focusing on Sharia-based legal practice. He was also engaged in writing weekly articles, which he published in an independent column in al-Bilad Newspaper under the title 'Qutouf.' Additionally, he contributed to religious and cultural programs on the radio.

Diya al-Din Bin Hamzah Rajab passed away in Riyadh City in 1977. After his death, Prince Abdullah al-Faisal, who shared a close friendship with him, took it upon himself to publish Rajab's unpublished poetry. In 1980, he compiled his works into a single collection in Jeddah, which included three previously unpublished books: Nisf Qarn Yatakallam (Half a Century Speaks), Mothakkirat Qadi (Memoirs of a Judge), and Waqfat Diyar Thamoud (A Pause at the Land of Thamud). Among the studies examining his poetry is a research work by Abdullah Ahmed Baqazi titled 'Shier Diya al-Din Rajab Bayn al-Mawqif wal-Siyaghah' (The Poetry of Diya al-Din Rajab: Between Perspective and Composition).