Sufi motifs in Ğamāl al-Ġīṭānī's novels al-Zaynī Barakāt and Kitāb al-tağalliyāt

Abstract

This paper explores the reception of Sufi motifs in the contemporary Arabic novel, with a focus on two novels by Ğamāl al-Ġīṭānī al-Zaynī Barakāt and Kitāb al- tağalliyāt. In the context of the global popularity of Sufism-inspired novels, as well as the continuity of the Sufi tradition in Arabic literature, the study analyzes specific Sufi symbols, topoi, and terminology in al-Ġīṭānī’s writings. Through a postmodern and phenomenological perspective, it investigates how al-Ġīṭānī, moving away from socialist realism, employs metafiction and intertextuality to transform the Sufi legacy into a critical reflection of contemporary realities. The aim is to highlight the evolution of Sufi elements in Arabic prose and their role in articulating both spiritual and historical narratives.