He was known for using his art to criticize and revolt against social injustice throughout the different historical and political stages in his country, especially the Ottoman empire occupation and French mandate of Lebanon. As a result, he was referred to as the "poet of the people", "son of the country", "Arab Voltaire", and "Molière of the East". His poems, which he delivered through songs and melodies, were usually written in spoken Arabic, so that they could be read and understood by people of different educational backgrounds.