Mysticism and the Renewal of Islamic Literature (Tasawuf dan Pembaharuan Kesusasteraan Islam)

Authors

  • Homam Altabaa Assist. Prof. Dr, FIDS, KIRKHS, IIUM.
  • Adham Hamawiya Assist. Prof. Dr, FIDS, KIRKHS, IIUM.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31436/jia.v16i3.838

Abstract

Literature has been a medium to express and explore the depths of human life and Truth. This is accurate of Islamic literature that has been produced across the globe over hundreds of years. This paper seeks to highlight key mystical aspects of classical Islamic literature and their relevance to world literature and culture. Mysticism is essentially understood in this context as a set of beliefs and practices that lead to a form of proximity or union with the Divine. The paper explores key manifestations of mysticism in prominent works of Islamic literature by renowned classical figures such as Rumi, Ibn ‘Arabī, ’Al-Ghazālī, Ibn ‘Al-Fāriḍ and Rābi‘ah. These manifestations include prevalent themes such as divine essence and attributes, gnosis and knowledge, the concept of mystical path and divine love. The paper concludes that contemporary Muslim writers and literary commentators have a rich tradition that can be re-examined, revived and matched to renew and rejuvenate the literatures of Muslim nations.

Keywords: Islamic literature, Mysticism, Mystical literature, Sufism, Sufi poetry.

Abstrak

Kesusasteraan merupakan satu medium untuk menzahir dan meneroka kehidupan manusia dan kebenaran. Ini bertepatan dengan kesusasteraan Islam yang terhasil dari seluruh dunia sejak ratusan tahun dahulu. Makalah ini bertujuan untuk menyoroti aspek tasawuf dalam kesusasteraan Islam klasik dan kaitannya dengan kesusasteraan dan budaya dunia. Tasawuf dalam konteks ini pada asasnya difahami sebagai satu set kepercayaan dan amalan yang membawa kepada suatu bentuk kedekatan atau kesatuan dengan ketuhanan. Makalah ini meneroka manifestasi utama dalam karya-karya kesusasteraan Islam oleh tokoh terkenal seperti Rumi, Ibn 'Arabī,' Al-Ghazali, Ibn 'Al-Fāriḍ dan Rābi'ah. Manifestasi ini termasuk tema lazim seperti intipati dan sifat ketuhanan, gnosis dan pengetahuan, konsep tasawuf dan ketuhanan. Makalah ini menyimpulkan bahawa para pengarang Islam kontemporari dan pengulas kesusasteraan telah ditinggalkan dengan tradisi yang kaya untuk dikaji, dihidupkan semula dan dipadankan untuk memperbaharui dan memperkasa kesusasteraan Islam.

Kata Kunci: Kesusasteraan Islam, Tasawuf, Persuratan Tasawuf, Sufism, Puisi sufi.

 

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Published

2019-12-30

How to Cite

Altabaa, H., & Hamawiya, A. (2019). Mysticism and the Renewal of Islamic Literature (Tasawuf dan Pembaharuan Kesusasteraan Islam) . Journal of Islam in Asia (E-ISSN 2289-8077), 16(3), 374–394. https://doi.org/10.31436/jia.v16i3.838