Islamic Perspectives

Literature is well used and practiced by almost all parts of the world for centuries. Even Islam has its own literature, and it should be known that art and literature have always been vital and essential parts of Islamic culture; and the Qur’an itself is a literary miracle of superb literary expression.

This blog includes Malaysian writers and poets from different races (i.e. Malay, Indian and Chinese) In the Qur’an, it states, “O mankind! Lo! We have created you from a male and a female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another.” (Surah al-Hujurat verse 13) Therefore, we should learn other races cultures and traditions, and we could also view their opinions and suggestions through their literary works as well.

A hadith from Ibn Hajar al- Asqalani al-Matalib al-‘Aliyah saying that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Seeking ‘ilm (knowledge) is incumbent on every Muslim”. Considering that learning more than one language as learning new knowledge, it is good to have a support saying that it is alright to learn more, not only language but also other knowledge which can give benefit to us and others. However, it must not go astray from the Islamic teaching. This hadith would automatically change the perception of certain people that for example, the portrayal of English as a Kafir language.