Naguib Mahfouz’s Zaabalawi
The Islamic tradition, as reflected in Naguib Mahfouz’s Zaabalawi, has over the course of history had an incredible impact on Arab culture. In Mahfouz’s time, Islamic practices combined with their political relevance proved a source of both great power and woe in Middle Eastern countries. As alluded to in Zaabalawi, Mahfouz asserts the fact that not all Muslims attain religious fulfillment through this common tradition, and other methods outside the scope of Islam may be necessary in true spiritual understanding.
My project emphasizes this spiritual tension by presenting a wineglass inscribed with Qur’anic verses. By examining the purpose and structure of this wineglass, the truth of Mahfouz’s
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In accordance with these symbols of essence, the Qur’anic script around the wineglass also proves applicable to Zaabalawi. It reads, phonetically: “Iqra/ warabbuka al-akramu, Allathee AAallama bialqalami.” Or in English: “Recite in the name of the Lord, who has taught by the pen.” This is a passage from the 96th Surah, Al-A’laq in the Qur’an. Such references to writings and penmanship highlight the importance of calligraphic beauty in such a society.
Muslims believe that it is important to read the Qur’an in Arabic. Their religion teaches that God intentionally presented the holy book to Arabs because their language holds a secret beauty and truth not found in others. Thus, if one is to complete the task of reading the Qur’an, it must be done in Arabic or with a corresponding Arabic text. For this reason, I wrote in Arabic script around the glass because its translation would be incomplete otherwise.
Furthermore, the first command of Allah is “Recite!” This is reflected in the Muslim appreciation for both the oral recitation and visual replication of the Qur’an. Calligraphy, as a creative expression of the Qur’an, has become a predominant art form in many Muslim countries. The calligrapher in Zaabalawi, in fact, has had much contact with true spirituality in his mastery of the Arabic script. Therefore, my act of inscribing Islamic verses would, in their culture, be considered a type of prayer and homage
Beginning with Muhammad’s age from the start of 7th century Islam, Islamic culture and politics have gone a great many events and occurrences. Throughout all of its years, it has boasted both a rich culture and technological/intellectual advancements. The preservation of the Quran, developments in mathematics, and the continued emphasis on respect and charitable nature are just some examples of Islamic achievement. However, as with any growing civilization, Islam has evolved beyond what it originated as. The cultural and political life of Islamic civilization beginning in the 7th century to the end of the Abbasids of the 13th century underwent many changes such as the deteriorating view of women in society and the shift from elected caliphates to dynastical caliphate. But, one aspect that persisted were the religious beliefs and traditions followed by the Islamic people.
The Sunni Creed of Adud al-Din-Iji and the Zaydi creed of Imam al-Mutawakkil have some major fundamental differences, as you may expect since both come from opposite spectrums of Islam; but, after careful analysis, one may be surprised to find that both creeds hold a fair amount of similarities. In this essay, I plan to compare and contrast the Sunni creed and Zayid creed by showing you evidence of the significant similarities and differences in these two short texts. Even though one branch may have something that the other may not have, one can still see that both creeds of Islam provide the instructions and general beliefs of how a Muslim must act, how God is the most powerful. The biggest
At the end of each section, it all ends the same, “take note of it!” as if to tell the Egyptian writing student that these are the things that they could be doing, to constantly remind them that they are lucky to have the job as a
Islam, a religion of people submitting to one God, seeking peace and a way of life without sin, is always misunderstood throughout the world. What some consider act of bigotry, others believe it to be the lack of education and wrong portrayal of events in media; however, one cannot not justify the so little knowledge that America and Americans have about Islam and Muslims. Historically there are have been myths, many attacks on Islam and much confusion between Islam as a religion and Middle Easter culture that is always associated with it. This paper is meant to dispel, or rather educate about the big issues that plague people’s minds with false ideas and this will only be touching the surface.
The Koran Interpreted, a translation by A. J. Arberry (New York: Touchstone, 1996). ©1955 by George Allen
Thesis: In his book, No god but God, Reza Aslan recounts the history and teachings of Islam in order to deconstruct the barriers within interreligious comprehension.
The Qur’an is the singular book that represents the world’s largest religion, Islam. It represents the most important set of scriptures that provide Muslims with peace and comfort and brings them closer to their deity. The Qur’an is more than a guide to worship, it is a book of laws and guides over 30% of humans in their behavior, beliefs, and day to day actions. It commands its followers on specific rituals and relevant obligations, what to do and not do in varying circumstances. The
The region of the Middle East and its inhabitants have always been a wonder to the Europeans, dating back to the years before the advent of Islam and the years following the Arab conquest. Today, the Islamic world spreads from the corners of the Philippines to the far edges of Spain and Central Africa. Various cultures have adopted the Islamic faith, and this blending of many different cultures has strengthened the universal Islamic culture. The religion of Islam has provided a new meaning to the lives of many people around the world. In the Islamic world, the religion defines and enriches culture and as a result the culture gives meaning to the individual. Islam is not only a religion, it is in its own way a culture. It may be this very
This is to show my parents that I am in touch with me Muslim heritage, and to show that I am proud of my religion. Also by using Arabic terms it shows my parents that I enjoy learning and practising my religion which in turn would make them proud.
This paper examines the role of the Holy Quran and its role for human beings in leading a successful life. Holy Quran has great importance in the lives of Muslim. This paper examines what are lessons explained in the Holy Quran? How can we say Holy Quran is guidance for leading a successful life? And is there any significant relationship between Science and Holy Quran? This paper is limited to the Muslims.
The use of the religious themes Qur’an is use for the interior of Islamic. This example script of Qur’an was used as a warning against the idol worship. Furthermore, knowing the work and input of the Islamic they didn’t want their work to be vain. I can understand why their work was use for sample and expedition work in Great Mosque Cordroba, Spain.
The Bedouins became the foundational symbol of Arab nationhood identity (Hoyland, 2001). They became the nationhood identity through their significant oral transmitted poetry and written Arabic literature, which became the basis and core language and humanity of Islam (Hoyland, 2001). The pre-Islamic poetry was very fine and unique, it became the linguistic standard of the interpretations of the Qu 'ran. It is noted that the
The holy Quran is a collection of the divinely inspired utterances and discourses (Ahmed, 16). It is composed of some 300 pages which are divided into 114 Surahs (chapters). The general tone of the holy Quran is sombre and meditative. It is a dialogue between God and humanity. At the core is a moral earnestness (Ahmed, 16). The Quran also teaches that humanity is created by God and therefore God understands its weaknesses and in Allah humans find the source of peace. Islam’s appeal lay – and – lies in the simplicity: one God, one Book, one Prophet (Ahmed, 17). Islam is a religion of balance, equilibrium, and compassion. The Islamic virtues are courage, generosity, cleanliness, and piety: and in his life the Prophet exemplifies them (Ahmed, 17).
Our religion and where we are raised is a major ingredient to formulating our identity. It is also why one person may perceive, as ‘kissing in public’ to being extremely wrong, where as one may not even notice it. Within the Iranian and Middle-Eastern culture, numerous perceive situations through the rights and wrongs of the Holy Quran. Research also claims that many of the passages within the Holy Quran “…are meant for human perception and comprehension…” (Berrada 45). This statement illustrates that our
The Quran asserts to be highly inimitable and usually challenges its rivals to offer works that are similar to it. According to Sell (24), the individuality was later created in literary terms which made the theologians believe in the matchlessness of the book popularly used by the Muslim community. During its historical exhibition, the inimitability doctrine made the Koran literal study a handmaiden to the scriptural, theological aspect. Nonetheless, the set of guidelines neglects an essential fact because the Quranic challenge was primarily addressed to the unbelievers. It was not considered a denunciation of the infidels but entailed an invitation for them to scrutinize the book and ascertain if it was a publication of possessed human