Prominent Islamic Features in Selected Novels of Najeeb al-Kilani: A Critical Analysis

Abstract

Writers possess their own literary styles in expressing their literary creativities whereupon it is concurrently argued that their surrounding environment may have produced evocative impacts on their literary works. Indeed, almost all literary inspirations behind their creative works can be traced to reflections of their vibrant life experiences. However, these experiences, coupled with facts expressed creatively, differ from those of scholars in their presentations of information, where it is argued that writers also depict elements of imaginations and express them in aesthetic ways. With this claim in view, this study aims to examine the prominent Islamic literary features in nine selected novels by Najeeb Al-Kilani, one of the pioneers of contemporary Arabic and Islamic literature. Najeeb’s literary works have contributed immensely to the literary evolution of Arabic and Islamic literature with his novels filling the annals in the mid-twentieth of literary scholarship century. Thus, it is concluded that Najib’s immediate environment and his own meaningful life experiences have been reflected in his novels suggesting their own life-changing impacts. Among Najib’s notable experiences influencing his literary works are his village, hometown community and the prison society he experienced. Equally important are his medical profession and the roles of the Sheikhs in the reform of the society.