THE CONCEPT OF ISLAMIC LITERATURE BY SHAHNON AHMAD

Abstract

The study is dedicated to dwell on the concept of Islamic literature by Shahnon Ahmad who also proposed on how the theory should be applied by the writers. Islamic literature according to Shahnon is based on several aspects; first: on how to assimilate Islam in creative writing; second: the characteristics of an Islamic literature in the Malaysian context; third: the factors that prevent incorporating Islam in creative writing in Malaysia; fourth: the solutions to overcome the intoxication of secularism of a creative genre writer in Malaysia; fifth: the issue of imaginative element in Islam and its differences from the secular definition; sixth: the disciplines needed to produce prolific Islamic writer. The factors to produce Islamic writer according to him revolve around the building of an Islamic character of the writer through: first: the emphasis on the correct conception about the existence of Man and his knowledge resources; second: his dedication in his intellectual endeavour for excellence. Another two factors as outlined by Shahnon revolve around the efforts to produce creative works; first: mastery of poetic skills; second: mastery of language and its effective delivery. It is obvious from his conception that his approach was both theoretical and applied in nature. The comprehensiveness of his proposal seems to be the answer to the ongoing debate on finding an overarching concept for Islamic literature