abstract:Muwashshah or muwaššaḥ (Arabic: موشّح, literally "girdled"; plural muwāshshaḥāt موشـّحات or tawāshīḥ تواشيح) is the name for both an Arabic poetic form and a secular musical genre. The poetic form consists of a multi-lined strophic verse poem written in classical Arabic, usually consisting of five stanzas, alternating with a refrain with a running rhyme.