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 isconcurrently argued that their surroundingenvironment may have produced evocative impactson their literary works. Indeed, almost all literaryinspirations behind their creative works can betraced to reflections of their vibrant lifeexperiences. However, these experiences, coupledwith facts expressed creatively, differ from those ofscholars in their presentations of information,where it is argued that writers also depict elementsof imaginations and express them in aestheticways. With this claim in view, this study aims toexamine the prominent Islamic literary features in nine selected novels by Najeeb Al-Kilani, one ofthe pioneers of contemporary Arabic and Islamicliterature. Najeeb’s literary works have contributedimmensely to the literary evolution of Arabic andIslamic literature with his novels filling the annalsin the mid-twentieth of literary scholarshipcentury. Thus, it is concluded that Najib’simmediate environment and his own meaningfullife experiences have been reflected in his novelssuggesting their own life-changing impacts.Among Najib’s notable experiences influencing hisliterary works are his village, hometowncommunity and the prison society he experienced.Equally important are his medical profession andthe roles of the Sheikhs in the reform of the society