Muslim English Discourse in English Literature

Muslim English Discourse: Term and Concept

Term

The term “Muslim English Discourse” designates a specific field within linguistics, discourse analysis, and religious studies. It encompasses the diverse ways in which English is used as a communicative tool by Muslims across various cultural and geographic contexts. This includes the study of how Muslims use English for religious expression, identity formation, community building, and navigating interactions with non-Muslim English-speaking societies.

Concept

As a broader concept, Muslim English Discourse explores the intricate relationship between the Islamic faith and the English language. It examines unique linguistic features, including the integration of Arabic terms and concepts, the creation of new Islamic English vocabulary, and the influence of Islamic thought patterns on English syntax and rhetorical styles. Additionally, the concept investigates how English is utilized by Muslims to discuss theological debates, interpret religious texts, and engage in interfaith dialogue.

Muslim English Discourse and English Literature

• Muslim English Discourse
  • Focus on Language Use and Communication: Examines the patterns, structures, and functions of English as used by Muslims in various contexts.
  • Interdisciplinary Field: Draws from linguistics, discourse analysis, sociology, and religious studies.
  • Themes: Islamic identity, community dynamics, theological expression, interfaith communication, adaptation of English to Islamic contexts.
• English Literature
  • Canon of Literary Works: Encompasses the established body of texts considered significant within English-speaking cultures.
  • Traditional Focus: Historically centered on texts produced by authors from predominantly Christian backgrounds.
  • Expanding Scope: Increasing recognition and inclusion of works by Muslim authors, reflecting diverse perspectives and experiences.
• Points of Intersection
  • Muslim Authors in English Literature: Growing presence of Muslim writers contributing to the English literary landscape with unique voices and perspectives.
  • Representation of Islam: Analysis of how Muslims and Islamic themes are portrayed in English literature, both by Muslim and non-Muslim authors.
  • Critical Perspectives: Application of Muslim English Discourse frameworks to examine literary texts for religious symbolism, linguistic nuances, and cultural references.

Muslim English Discourse: Key Principals

Key Principle	Description	Literary Reference
Intertextuality	Integration of Qur’anic verses, Hadith, Islamic concepts into English communication.	Leila Aboulela’s “The Translator,” “Minaret”
Code-Switching & Multilingualism	Fluid movement between English, Arabic, and other prevalent languages in Muslim communities.	Randa Jarrar’s “A Map of Home,” Diana Abu-Jaber’s “Crescent”
Semantic Adaptation	Adapting English vocabulary, syntax, and rhetoric to express Islamic concepts.	Mohsin Hamid’s “The Reluctant Fundamentalist,” G. Willow Wilson’s “Alif the Unseen”
Identity Formation & Negotiation	Using English to navigate complex identities, challenge stereotypes, and discuss issues of belonging.	Ayad Akhtar’s “Disgraced,” Kamila Shamsie’s “Home Fire”
Authentic Representation	Efforts by Muslim authors to promote nuanced and diverse representations of Muslims and Islamic thought.	Anthologies like “The Things That Divide Us” (ed. Faith Adiele), “Love, Inshallah” (ed. Nura Maznavi and Ayesha Mattu

Muslim English Discourse: Major Writers

1. Writer: Mohsin Hamid
   • Works: The Reluctant Fundamentalist, Exit West
   • Place: Pakistan
   • Arguments: Hamid’s acclaimed novels delve into the complexities of Muslim identity in a globalized world. The Reluctant Fundamentalist challenges Western perceptions of Muslims post-9/11, while Exit West offers a poignant exploration of love, migration, and displacement amidst a backdrop of conflict and chaos.
2. Writer: Leila Aboulela
   • Works: Minaret, The Translator
   • Place: Sudan, Scotland
   • Arguments: Aboulela’s evocative prose captures the nuances of Muslim life, often exploring themes of faith, migration, and cultural adaptation. In Minaret, she offers a nuanced portrayal of a Sudanese woman’s spiritual journey in exile, while The Translator delves into the complexities of identity and belonging for a Muslim immigrant in Scotland.
3. Writer: Zadie Smith
   • Works: White Teeth, Swing Time
   • Place: England
   • Arguments: Smith’s vibrant narratives depict multicultural London and the intricacies of identity, family, and belonging. In White Teeth, she skillfully weaves together the lives of immigrant families, touching on themes of religion, assimilation, and generational change. Swing Time explores the complexities of friendship and ambition against a backdrop of race and class dynamics.
4. Writer: Khaled Hosseini
   • Works: The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns
   • Place: Afghanistan, United States
   • Arguments: Hosseini’s powerful storytelling illuminates the human experience in the context of Afghanistan’s tumultuous history. The Kite Runner delves into themes of guilt, redemption, and the enduring bonds of friendship, while A Thousand Splendid Suns portrays the resilience of Afghan women amidst the backdrop of war and oppression.
5. Writer: Kamila Shamsie
   • Works: Home Fire, Burnt Shadows
   • Place: Pakistan, United Kingdom
   • Arguments: Shamsie’s compelling narratives tackle pressing issues of identity, politics, and belonging, often through the lens of Muslim characters. Home Fire explores themes of radicalization, loyalty, and sacrifice in a post-9/11 world, while Burnt Shadows traverses continents and generations to examine the enduring impact of colonialism and conflict.
6. Writer: Ayad Akhtar
   • Works: American Dervish, Disgraced
   • Place: United States
   • Arguments: Akhtar’s works confront themes of religion, identity, and assimilation in contemporary America. American Dervish follows a young Pakistani-American boy’s coming-of-age journey amidst cultural and religious tensions, while Disgraced explores the complexities of Muslim identity, ambition, and prejudice in post-9/11 New York.
7. Writer: Fatima Farheen Mirza
   • Works: A Place for Us
   • Place: United States
   • Arguments: Mirza’s debut novel A Place for Us offers a moving exploration of family, faith, and belonging within the context of an Indian-American Muslim family. Set in California, the novel delves into the complexities of identity, tradition, and the pursuit of individuality amidst familial expectations and cultural heritage.

Muslim English Discourse: Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Description	Application in Muslim English Discourse	Example Works
Postcolonial Theory	Examines the effects of colonization and imperialism on cultures and societies.	Analyzing how colonial legacies shape Muslim identities and literature	“The Reluctant Fundamentalist” by Mohsin Hamid, “White Teeth” by Zadie Smith
Feminist Theory	Explores gender dynamics, power structures, and representations of women in literature.	Critiquing portrayals of Muslim women and their agency in narratives	“A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini, “The Translator” by Leila Aboulela
Cultural Studies	Investigates the role of culture, ethnicity, and identity in shaping literature and society.	Understanding how cultural contexts influence Muslim literary expression	“Home Fire” by Kamila Shamsie, “Minaret” by Leila Aboulela
Postmodernism	Challenges traditional narratives and explores fragmentation, subjectivity, and ambiguity.	Examining how Muslim identities are constructed and deconstructed	“Disgraced” by Ayad Akhtar, “Exit West” by Mohsin Hamid
Diaspora Theory	Focuses on the experiences of displaced communities and their cultural productions.	Exploring narratives of migration, belonging, and hybrid identities	“Burnt Shadows” by Kamila Shamsie, “American Dervish” by Ayad Akhtar

Muslim English Discourse: Key Terms

Term	Definition
Intertextuality	The interweaving of Qur’anic verses, Hadith (Prophetic traditions), and Islamic theological concepts into English communication.
Code-switching	The fluid shift between English, Arabic, and other languages common in Muslim communities.
Translanguaging	The dynamic and intentional blending of languages for meaning-making, often found in multilingual Muslim contexts.
Semantic Adaptation	The repurposing of English vocabulary, syntax, or rhetorical devices to express Islamic concepts, beliefs, and worldviews.
Ummah	The global community of Muslims, emphasizing unity and a shared religious identity.
Ijtihad	Independent reasoning or critical interpretation of Islamic sources for addressing contemporary issues.
Dawah	The act of proselytizing or inviting others to learn about Islam.
Isnad	The chain of transmission tracing a specific saying or tradition back to its original source, often the Prophet Muhammad.
Halal	Refers to actions, behaviors, products, or services permissible under Islamic law.
Inshallah	Arabic phrase meaning “God willing,” expressing reliance on divine will.

Suggested Readings: Muslim English Discourse

1. Aboulela, Leila. The Translator. Grove Press, 1999.
2. Akhtar, Ayad. Disgraced. Picador, 2013.
3. Hamid, Mohsin. The Reluctant Fundamentalist. Harcourt, 2007.
4. Jamal, Amina. “Muslim English.” Routledge Handbook of World Englishes, edited by Andy Kirkpatrick, Routledge, 2020, pp. 256-274.
5. Jarrar, Randa. A Map of Home. Penguin Books, 2008.
6. Knight, Michael Muhammad. The Taqwacores. Soft Skull Press, 2004.
7. Mahmood, Saba. Politics of Piety: The Islamic Revival and the Feminist Subject. Princeton University Press, 2005.
8. Rana, Junaid. Terrifying Muslims: Race and Labor in the South Asian Diaspora. Duke University Press, 2011.
9. Saeed, Abdullah. The Qur’an: An Introduction. Routledge, 2008.
10. Shamsie, Kamila. Home Fire. Riverhead Books, 2017.