Islam on Middle Eastern Literature.

¶ … Islam on Middle Eastern literature. Islamic religious thought and teaching influences just about every aspect of Middle Eastern life, and it is so with literature, as well. Islam has influenced Middle Eastern literature throughout history in any number of ways, and it continues to be an important aspect of much Middle Eastern writing today.

The most obvious examples of ancient Middle Eastern literature include the Bible and the Qur'an, both incredibly holy books that have endured for centuries. Thus, religion, and burgeoning religion, is at the core of Middle Eastern writing and literature, and that influence continues to this day. One historian notes, "In the case of the Qur'an, historians have demonstrated links with the Hebrew Bible, the Gospels, ancient Middle Eastern literature such as the story of Alexander the Great, the Gilgamesh legend, and the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus" (Arkoun 39). Thus, many of the earliest legends and histories of the civilized world originated in the Middle East, and eventually spread around the world as history, legend, and myth.

Even when Middle Eastern literature does not directly refer to Islam, the Qur'an, or Mohammed; it still carries imagery of the Islamic culture of the area. Historian Arkoun continues, "The exploration of this vast, interrelated literature helps to show the continuity and creativity of a religious-literary imaginary common to Middle Eastern culture" (Arkoun 39). The culture depends on a blending of literature and writing. There is a commonality to Middle Eastern literature, from its lyricism to its often spiritual nature, and that has inspired writers from other cultures to include Middle Eastern imagery and culture in their writings, as well. One of these early writers was Edgar Allen Poe.

Middle Eastern culture spread around the world during the 1800s, and became quite popular in many literary circles. Poe's writing reflects his knowledge of the culture, blended with his own style. A Virginia college professor notes, "Poe's little stories, 'The Imp of the Perverse' and 'The Angel of the Odd,' are effective to compare with the Islamic idea of providence. 'The Thousand-and-Second Tale of Scheherazade' contains specific references from the Koran" (Goodman). Thus, Middle Eastern literature's dependence on Islamic thought has spread far beyond the Middle East, and continues to influence other writings, as well.

Middle Eastern poetry often carries references to Islam, both implied and obvious. Another historian writes of an early poem celebrating Islam over tribal loyalties. He quotes, "My father is Islam, none else, / Though others boast of Bakr or of Tam-m. / Each of the tribes champions its pretender, / to make him out of noble stock" (Cachia 19). While this reference is quite obvious, many other writings use less obvious references, but still carry allusions to Islam, including many tenets of the religion, such as references to abstinence from drinking, living a spiritual life, and even punishment and/or enlightenment in the next world (Goodman). Others refer to visions of the Prophet himself, including miraculous healings and the wisdom to follow the Prophet's path, or visits by the Prophet with words for the author and readers as well (Cachia 106).