The Study of Literature: An Islamic Approach

Author(s): Dr. A.K.M. Shamsul Hoque Siddiqi, Dr. Reazul Islam

Publication Date: December 30, 2025

Abstract

Literature is a powerful instrument that profoundly shapes human emotions, intellect, and societal values. However, in the modern era, literature is often criticized for promoting moral decadence and detaching humanity from spiritual truth. This article presents a critical analysis of literature from an Islamic perspective, seeking to define its validity and scope within the framework of the Holy Quran and Sunnah. While Islam sternly warns against misleading and aimless poetry, it simultaneously encourages art that promotes wisdom and truth. Through a comparative study of Western classics (such as the works of Marlowe and T.S. Eliot) and Islamic masterpieces (including Rumi and Hassan bin Sabit), this paper illustrates the distinction between destructive and constructive literature. The authors argue that while secular literature often leads to spiritual emptiness, literature rooted in divine faith can elevate the human soul. Ultimately, the article calls for the development of a distinct “Islamic Literary Aesthetic.” It urges Muslim writers to counter the current wave of cultural aggression by creating literature that upholds ethical values, glorifies the Creator, and guides humanity toward moral and spiritual perfection.