Sufism in the Contemporary Arabic Novel (Edinburgh Studies in Modern Arabic Literature)

**Close readings of 9 contemporary Arab novelists who use Sufism as a literary strategy** Sufi characters – saints, dervishes, wanderers – occur regularly in modern Arabic literature. A select group of novelists interrogates Sufism as a system of thought and language. In the work of writers like Naguib Mahfouz, Gamal Al-Ghitany, Taher Ouettar, Ibrahim Al-Koni, Mahmud Al-Mas’adi and Tayeb Salih we see a strong intertextual relationship with the Sufi masters of the past, including Al-Hallaj, Ibn Arabi, Al-Niffari and Al-Suhrawardi. This relationship interrogates the limits of the creative self, individuality, rationality and all the possibilities offered by literature. In this dialogue with the mystical heritage, these novelists seek a way of preserving a self under siege from the overwhelming forces of oppression and reaction that characterised the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Sufi Characters -- Saints, Dervishes, Wanderers -- Occur Regularly In Modern Arabic Literature. A Select Group Of Novelists Interrogates Sufism As A System Of Thought And Language. In The Work Of Writers Like Naguib Mahfouz, Gamal Al-ghitany, Taher Ouettar, Ibrahim Al-koni, Mahmud Al-mas'adi And Tayeb Salih We See A Strong Intertextual Relationship With The Sufi Masters Of The Past, Including Al-hallaj, Ibn Arabi, Al-niffari And Al-suhrawardi. This Relationship Interrogates The Limits Of The Creative Self, Individuality, Rationality And All The Possibilities Offered By Literature. In This Dialogue With The Mystical Heritage, These Novelists Seek A Way Of Preserving A Self Under Siege From The Overwhelming Forces Of Oppression And Reaction That Characterised The Late 20th And Early 21st Centuries. Introduction: Ouverture ---- Chapter One: Naguib Mahfouz: (en)chanting Justice --- Chapter Two: Tayeb Salih: The Returns Of The Saint --- Chapter Three: Al-masʹad?: Witnessing Immortality --- Chapter Four: The Survival Of Gamal Al-ghitany --- Chapter Five: Ibrahim Al-koni: Writing And Sacrifice --- Chapter Six: Tahar Ouettar: The Saint And The Nightmare Of History ---- Epilogue: Bahaa Taher, Solidarity And Idealism. Ziad Elmarsafy. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 235-251) And Index. Sufi characters †“ saints, dervishes, wanderers †“ occur regularly in modern Arabic literature. A select group of novelists to interrogate Sufism as a system of thought and language. In the work of writers like Naguib Mahfouz, Gamal Al-Ghitany, Taher Ouettar, Ibrahim Al-Koni, Mahmud Al-Mas'adi and Tayeb Salih we see a strong intertextual relationship with the Sufi masters of the past, including Al-Hallaj, Ibn Arabi, Al-Niffari and Al-Suhrawardi. This relationship becomes a means of interrogating the limits of the creative self, individuality, rationality and the manifold possibilities offered by literature, seeking in a dialogue with the mystical heritage a way of preserving a self under siege from the overwhelming forces of oppression and reaction that have characterised the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Arabic novelists are increasingly finding a source of literary innovation and political transgression in the language and ideas of mediaeval Sufi thinkers and writers. This book presents close readings of the work of the Egyptian Gamal Al-Ghitany, the Algerian Taher Ouettar and the Touareg Libyan Ibrahim Al-Koni, all of whom have turned to Sufism. This book will present close readings of three contemporary Arabic novelists - an Egyptian (Gamal Al-Ghitany), an Algerian (Taher Ouettar) and a Touareg Libyan (Ibrahim Al-Koni) - who have all turned to Sufism as a literary strategy aimed at negotiating issues both literary and political.