Islah: Journal of Islamic Literature and History

Identity Conflict in “The Cairo Trilogy” by Naguib Mahfouz: A Postcolonial Approach

2025-07-14T04:06:40+00:00

This study analyzes identity conflicts in modern Arabic literature through a postcolonial approach, focusing on “The Cairo Trilogy” by Naguib Mahfouz. By combining literary analysis with a socio-political examination of early 20th-century Egypt, this research aims to explore how social, political, and economic changes triggered by colonialism and the rise of nationalism shape the characters' identities in the novel. Additionally, this study highlights how Mahfouz portrays the tension between traditional values and modernity within the context of Egypt’s postcolonial transformation. Through an arrative rich in family and societal dynamics, “The Cairo Trilogy” not only illustrates Egypt’s social shifts but also reflects the complexity of individual identity formation in an ever-changing world. The identity conflicts experienced by the members of the Abdel Gawad family, particularly in confronting deepening modernization, serve as a microcosm of the internal and external struggles faced by Egyptian society during this transitional period. Beyond being a mere depiction of socio-political realities, the novel also offers a sharp critique of modernization and postcolonial cultural transformations that redefine societal values and ways of life. Thus, this work is not only significant as a literary masterpiece but also as a lens for understanding the evolving dynamics of identity in a postcolonial context.

The Reflection of Islamic Spirituality and Aesthetics in Saib Tabrizi’s Poetry during Safavid Isfahan

2025-06-24T17:54:58+00:00

The Golden Age of Isfahan under the Safavid dynasty marked a flourishing period of Islamic civilization, producing outstanding achievements in art, literature, architecture, and spirituality. One of the most prominent literary figures of this era was Saib Tabrizi, a renowned poet recognized for his sabk-e Hindi (Indian style) poetry, known for its intricate metaphors and Sufi symbolism. This article aims to explore how Islamic aesthetics and spirituality are reflected in the poetry of Saib Tabrizi using a qualitative approach based on textual analysis. Selected poems are analyzed through the lens of Islamic artistic principles and spiritual metaphors. The findings reveal that Tabrizi’s poetry not only embodies artistic elegance but also serves as a medium for conveying the spiritual values of Islam during the Isfahan era as a cultural and religious center.

Representasi Mujahadat al-Nafs dalam Novel Anak Ahlam Bisbisah Karya Kamil Kilani

2026-05-17T11:44:13+00:00

The abstract should be one paragraph with the same font and format as given here (1 space, Children's literature conveys moral values through the content of its stories, as well as through the narrative construction of characters, conflict, and the consequences of their actions. This study examines the representation of mujahadat al-nafs in Kamil Kilani’s Arabic children’s novel Ahlam Bisbisah, focusing on narrative structure and characterization. It employs a qualitative textual method involving close reading and narrative analysis. The data comprise actions, emotional responses, dialogue, repetitive patterns, spatial symbols, and transitions between waking and dreaming. The analysis identifies four interrelated representations of self-discipline: restraining spontaneous impulses, regulating emotions, recognizing personal limitations, and awakening from heedlessness. These dimensions are constructed through indirect characterization, a recurring impulse–failure–consequence pattern, the symbolism, and the narrative doubling of waking and dream states. The study’s novelty lies in interpreting mujahadat al-nafs as an effect of literary form rather than merely as a religious message imposed on the story. Furthermore, the open ending positions child readers as active moral subjects who must imagine the protagonist’s possible transformation.

AI-Mediated Arabic Language Learning: Bridging Linguistic Gaps in Islamic Studies Curriculum

2026-09-01T09:17:39+00:00

This study addresses the critical challenge of curriculum desynchronization between Arabic language instruction and Islamic Studies (PAI) in Indonesian Senior High Schools (Madrasah Aliyah). While Arabic serves as an essential medium for understanding religious texts, current instructional models often isolate linguistic mechanics from theological content, resulting in intellectual fatigue and reduced student engagement. Grounded in the frameworks of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) and the Love-Based Curriculum (Kurikulum Berbasis Cinta / KBC), this research investigates how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can bridge linguistic and conceptual gaps across these disciplines. Utilizing a qualitative case study approach, data were gathered through document analysis of learning standards, classroom observations, and in-depth interviews with educators. The findings demonstrate that AI-mediated learning tools effectively harmonize Arabic grammar with Islamic Studies themes, mitigating cognitive load and fostering a humanistic, empathetic learning environment. Furthermore, this study proposes an interdisciplinary collaborative framework for educators to synchronize language skills with religious comprehension simultaneously. Ultimately, the research highlights AI's transformative potential as a pedagogical mediator in modernizing Islamic secondary education.