European International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research
and Management Studies
127
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TYPE
Original Research
PAGE NO.
127-129
DOI
OPEN ACCESS
SUBMITED
30 March 2025
ACCEPTED
29 April 2025
PUBLISHED
31 May 2025
VOLUME
Vol.05 Issue05 2025
COPYRIGHT
© 2025 Original content from this work may be used under the terms
of the creative commons attributes 4.0 License.
Analysis of The Works of
The Modern Arab Writer
Jamal Al-Ghitani
Berdieva Shaxnoza Nabidjanovna
Termez state pedagogical institute, Uzbekistan
Abstract:
This article examines the major themes,
narrative techniques, and historical influences in the
works of Egyptian novelist Jamal al-Ghitani. Through a
synthesis of Islamic historiography, Sufi mysticism, and
modern literary forms, al-Ghitani reshaped Arabic
narrative to reflect both historical consciousness and
contemporary political critique. His fiction provides a
unique case study in the adaptation of classical Arabic
traditions to modernist literary sensibilities.
Keywords:
Jamal al-Ghitani, Arabic literature, Sufism,
historical narrative, postmodernism, Zayni Barakat.
Introduction:
Jamal al-Ghitani (1945
–
2015) was an
Egyptian novelist and journalist, widely regarded as one
of the most innovative voices in contemporary Arabic
literature. His works bridge the gap between Islamic
heritage, Sufi mysticism, and postmodern literary
techniques, creating a rich tapestry of narratives deeply
rooted in both Arabic classical tradition and modern
existential inquiry.
Historical and Cultural Influences
Al-
Ghitani’s writing is heavily influenced by:
•
Islamic historiography (especially works by
al-Maqrizi and Ibn Khaldun)
•
Sufi philosophy (particularly the ideas of Ibn
Arabi and al-Hallaj)
•
Classical Arabic prose (maqama, hadith-style
narration)
•
Political experiences during and after
Nasser’s regime, and the trauma of the 1967 Arab
-
Israeli war
These elements are not merely referenced but
reimagined, allowing al-Ghitani to create narratives
that explore identity, power, and the metaphysical
European International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research
and Management Studies
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European International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Management Studies
within an Arabic-Islamic framework.
Major Themes
a. History and Memory
•
Al-Ghitani blurs the line between past and
present. His novels often reconstruct historical
narratives to comment on contemporary political and
cultural issues.
•
Example: In Zayni Barakat (1974), the author
reconstructs a Mamluk-era Cairo to subtly critique the
authoritarianism of Nasser’s Egypt.
b. Mysticism and the Search for Truth
•
Many of his works incorporate Sufi
metaphors, spiritual journeys, and the idea of inner
purification.
•
Example: The Book of Illumination (Kitab al-
Tajalli) presents a mystical journey through layers of
reality and self-discovery.
c. Power and Surveillance
•
Themes of control, public manipulation, and
the erosion of personal freedom recur, particularly
through historical allegory.
•
In
Zayni
Barakat,
surveillance
and
propaganda techniques reflect modern totalitarian
practices.
d. Language and Form
•
Al-Ghitani experiments with non-linear
narratives, intertextuality, and archival formats (letters,
chronicles, reports).
•
His prose often mimics the rhythm and
syntax of classical Arabic, particularly Qur’anic and
historical texts, giving his writing a solemn and
immersive tone.
Key Works and Their Analysis
a. Zayni Barakat (1974)
•
Setting: Cairo during the Mamluk period
(early 16th century)
•
Narrative Technique: Multiple narrators,
historical documents, secret reports
•
Themes:
Tyranny,
betrayal,
identity,
surveillance
•
Significance: A political allegory of modern
Arab regimes; praised for its craftsmanship and
complexity
b. Al-Tajalli (The Illumination)
•
A spiritual novel with deep Sufi undertones
•
Focuses on mystical experience, visionary
knowledge, and the limits of rationalism
•
Serves as a metaphorical exploration of the
soul’s journey toward divine truth
c. Al-
Muqaffa’at (The Notebooks)
•
A metafictional work involving fragmented
texts, chronicles, and marginalia
•
Explores the construction of meaning,
historical subjectivity, and textuality itself
d. Risalat al-Tajrubah (Letter of the Experience)
•
A philosophical prose meditation structured
as a letter
•
Engages with questions of authorship,
consciousness, and reality
Literary Style and Innovations
•
Hybrid narrative: Combines fiction, history,
journalism, and religious texts
•
Symbolism: Frequent use of allegorical
characters, especially the figure of the "scribe,"
"watcher," or "seer"
•
Temporal ambiguity: Past and present are
often indistinguishable, creating atemporal narratives
•
High
intertextuality:
Quotations
and
allusions to classical Arabic works serve both as homage
and critique
Political and Philosophical Dimensions
•
Al-Ghi
tani’s works subtly challenge political
repression and cultural stagnation in the Arab world.
•
His critique is not overt but allegorical,
avoiding censorship while offering profound political
insights.
•
He also interrogates the limits of knowledge,
both rational and mystical, suggesting that truth lies in
layered, contradictory experiences.
Legacy and Influence
•
Al-Ghitani has inspired a generation of Arab
postmodernists who draw on classical sources while
engaging with contemporary themes.
•
He has been compared to Umberto Eco and
Jorge Luis Borges for his erudite fiction and playful
engagement with the archive.
•
His journalism (notably as editor of Akhbar
al-Adab) also contributed to shaping modern Arabic
literary discourse.
CONCLUSION
Jamal al-Ghitani's oeuvre exemplifies a unique fusion of
literary sophistication, cultural memory, and spiritual
inquiry. By interweaving historical consciousness, Sufi
mysticism, and modern anxieties, he forged a narrative
style that is distinctly Arab and universally resonant. His
works remain vital in understanding Arab intellectual
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European International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Management Studies
history, literary innovation, and the philosophical
dilemmas of modernity.
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